Olimpia Milano has clinched a historic domestic clean sweep in the 2025-2026 season, capturing the Italian Supercup, Italian Cup, and their 32nd national championship—a triple crown never before achieved in the club's 90-year history. The triumph, sealed with an 86-72 road victory over Reyer Venezia in Game 4 of the finals in mid-June 2026, arrives just nine months after the September 4, 2025 death of club owner and fashion icon Giorgio Armani, who rescued the franchise from oblivion in 2008.
Why This Matters
• Unprecedented achievement: Milano becomes only the fourth Italian basketball club ever to sweep all three domestic trophies in a single season—joining Virtus Bologna, Olimpia's predecessor squads, and Auxilium Torino in this elite group.
• Transition success: First-time head coach Peppe Poeta delivered the treble after taking over mid-season in November, silencing doubts about Ettore Messina's abrupt departure.
• Armani legacy: Seven of Milano's 32 championships have come under the Armani ownership, which now operates through the Fondazione Armani following his passing at age 91.
From Mourning to Celebration
The emotional arc of this season has been extraordinary—a journey from sorrow to triumph that deeply resonated with Milano residents. When Giorgio Armani died on September 4, 2025, the Milanese basketball community entered a period of mourning for the man who transformed EA7 Olimpia Milano from financial crisis into a perennial powerhouse. His stewardship brought not just capital but prestige, intertwining the club's fortunes with one of Italy's most recognizable global brands.
Within weeks, however, the team began its conquest. On September 28, 2025, Milano claimed the Supercup with a 90-76 demolition of Germani Brescia—the club's sixth title in that competition. By February 2026, they added the Coppa Italia with an 85-77 final victory over Bertram Derthona Tortona in Turin, marking their ninth cup triumph.
The championship series against Venezia proved the toughest test. After splitting the first two games, Venezia's explosive offense looked unstoppable in Game 3. But Milano's defense recalibrated, smothering the Venetian attack in the decisive fourth contest at the Taliercio Arena. Veterans Pippo Ricci and Shavon Shields, co-captains and locker-room anchors, hoisted the trophy amid scenes of jubilation—a moment that felt like a collective healing for fans who had mourned Armani's death months earlier.
Poeta's Redemption Arc
The season's defining subplot was the coaching change. Ettore Messina, one of Europe's most decorated tacticians, unexpectedly resigned in November 2025, citing personal reasons. His deputy, Peppe Poeta, was thrust into the spotlight with zero head coaching experience at the elite level. Critics questioned whether the 42-year-old former point guard could manage egos, rotations, and the relentless pressure of Euroleague and domestic competition.
Poeta's answer was emphatic. He streamlined the offense, leaned on Milano's defensive identity, and navigated a roster marked by uncertainty. The ejection of high-profile summer signing Lorenzo Brown from the squad in January—after the American guard failed to mesh with the system—could have derailed the campaign. Instead, Poeta tightened the rotation, empowered role players, and rode the hot hands of Armoni Brooks and Dejan Guduric through the playoffs.
"This success is dedicated to Giorgio Armani," said Michele Tacchella, a senior executive in the Armani Group, in comments to ANSA. "We are all deeply satisfied, starting with President Dell'Orco. This is a tremendous achievement, and we are truly happy to celebrate."
Brooks and Guduric Shine in Finale
Armoni Brooks, the 26-year-old American forward, capped a remarkable individual season by claiming MVP honors in both the regular season and the finals. His 15 points in Game 4 included timely three-pointers that broke Venezia's spirit in the third quarter. Yet it was the Serb Dejan Guduric who stole the spotlight in the decisive contest. After an inconsistent regular season plagued by shooting slumps, Guduric erupted for 13 of his 15 points in the second half, hitting contested jumpers and slashing through defensive gaps with renewed confidence.
Guard Tyler Ellis provided crucial perimeter support, draining 3 of 5 three-point attempts and adding 9 points during a pivotal stretch when Venezia threatened to close the gap. Milano's defensive scheme, designed to limit transition opportunities and force contested mid-range shots, held Venezia to just 72 points—well below their playoff average.
What This Means for Residents
For Milanese basketball fans, the treble represents vindication after years of Euroleague disappointment. Despite falling short in the continental playoffs—Milano was eliminated earlier than expected in the spring—the domestic dominance reaffirms the club's standing as Italy's preeminent basketball institution. The treble also burnishes Milano's reputation as a destination for top European talent, a critical advantage as the club rebuilds for the 2026-2027 campaign, which begins in September 2026.
From a cultural perspective, the championship underscores the enduring influence of the Armani brand on Italian sports. Even in death, Armani's legacy shapes the narrative: his Foundation continues to fund operations, ensuring stability in an era when many Italian clubs struggle with liquidity. The success also provides a morale boost for Milan's broader sports community, following a mixed season for the city's football clubs. For residents interested in following next season, season ticket information will be available through the club's official website starting in August 2026.
Roster Overhaul Ahead
Milano's roster will look markedly different next season. Following the championship victory, Armoni Brooks, despite his MVP accolades, accepted a lucrative two-year offer from ASVEL Villeurbanne, the French club owned by NBA legend Tony Parker. Brooks' departure removes Milano's most consistent scoring threat but opens salary space for new additions.
The club has already secured Alec Peters, the American-born forward who helped Olympiacos win the EuroLeague title in 2025. Peters, who had extended his contract with the Greek powerhouse through 2026, opted for a move to Milano in search of a more prominent role. His arrival fills the void left by Zach LeDay, whose contract expires this summer.
Additional signings include Corey Thompson, a veteran point guard brought in to replace Tyler Ellis at the one, and David Burnell, a versatile wing expected to inject energy off the bench. The front office is betting that this new core, complemented by holdovers Ricci and Shields, can sustain Milano's domestic supremacy while making a deeper Euroleague run.
Looking Forward
As Milano savors this unprecedented achievement, the challenge will be sustaining excellence amid roster turnover and heightened expectations. Poeta, now anointed as a championship coach, faces the dual mandate of defending domestic glory and cracking the Euroleague quarterfinals. The departure of Brooks, in particular, leaves a scoring void that Peters and the incoming players must collectively fill.
For now, however, the mood at the Mediolanum Forum is pure celebration. Supporters who mourned Armani in September now toast his memory with champagne, knowing that the man who saved their club also left them a legacy of triumph. The treble is not just a sporting achievement—it is a testament to continuity, resilience, and the power of institutional stability in Italian basketball.
