Until that afternoon, I had never covered a basketball game of this importance—let alone in my beloved Tuscany. As I got ready to head to the arena, my curiosity grew alongside my excitement. I knew it was going to be a different kind of day, but I had no idea just how memorable it would become.
I’d watched plenty of basketball over the years, from both the Italian leagues and the NBA, but I’d never had the chance to experience a game like this from courtside. It was one of those opportunities you don’t really expect to come your way, and I couldn’t wait to see what it would feel like.
With my camera trolley packed and my backpack ready, I got in the car and drove from Empoli to Lucca. It was about an hour on the road, heading towards the Palazzetto dello Sport. It was incredibly hot for the middle of June. Once I arrived, I joined the queue outside, but luckily one of the stewards directed me through the accreditation entrance, saving me a long wait among the crowd.
The moment I stepped inside, I immediately felt a different atmosphere.
It’s actually difficult to describe. It was nothing like the youth football matches I’m used to covering. Maybe it’s because outdoor sports naturally have more space, fresh air, sunshine and all the little details that come with them. Indoor sport, on the other hand, feels completely different. In many ways, it’s almost theatrical. Everything feels more intense, more intimate and somehow more alive.
With a passionate crowd filling the arena, every shout, every whistle and every chant echoed around the building. The acoustics made it feel as though there were twice as many people inside. The supporters were incredibly close to the court, creating an incredible energy that never stopped from the opening tip until the final buzzer.
Having very little occasion photographing basketball, I unpacked all my gear and started testing my cameras during warm-ups. Honestly, I was worried I wouldn’t find the right camera settings. Fortunately, it didn’t take long to realise they weren’t too different from what I normally use while photographing youth football. The movements, the pace of the action and even the way you have to anticipate the decisive moments weren’t as different as I had imagined.
The biggest difference was the distance. Everything happened much closer to the photographer.
I tested different shooting positions around the court, checked how the natural light coming through the windows mixed with the indoor lighting, and adjusted the white balance as I moved from one side of the court to the other.
Then came the national anthem and the team presentations.
It was a genuinely emotional moment. You could sense both excitement and tension in the arena. This wasn’t just another game—it was Game 3 of the promotion finals, with a place in Serie B on the line.
As soon as the referee threw the ball into the air, both teams started evenly. But midway through the first quarter, Lucca began to pull away.
Point after point, the home side took control.
The local fans were ecstatic, while the travelling supporters from Siena became quieter as the game slipped away from them. In truth, the contest remained balanced only during the opening stages. By the end of the first quarter, Lucca already held a comfortable lead, and by halftime the scoreboard read 45-31 in favour of the home team.
The atmosphere never faded.
The Lucca supporters sang throughout the game, exchanging plenty of good-natured banter with the Siena fans, who were just as vocal in responding. Much of the attention was directed at Lucca captain Barsanti, who embraced the pressure and led his team all the way to victory.
Throughout the match I kept moving around the court, searching for different angles, better light and fresh perspectives. Personally, I found myself returning again and again beneath the basket. I loved that viewpoint—it gave me exactly the type of images I had hoped to capture before arriving.
When the final buzzer sounded, the arena erupted.
Lucca’s supporters flooded onto the court to celebrate an unforgettable promotion. Basketball Club Lucca defeated their long-time rivals Mens Sana Siena 80-54, securing promotion to Serie B in spectacular fashion.
Players, staff and supporters celebrated together in scenes of pure joy. One of the most memorable moments came when captain Barsanti climbed onto the basket support after cutting down the net—a tradition that perfectly captured the significance of the achievement.
Looking back, I’ll remember this day for a long time.
Beyond the sporting success of the home team, it was a completely new experience for me as a photographer. It challenged me, taught me something new and reminded me just how rewarding it can be to step outside your comfort zone.
A special thank you goes to the Basketball Club Lucca Press Office for giving me the opportunity to experience such an important game from courtside.
Leonardo Bartolini
08/07/26
