On Thursday, October 1st at 7:00 PM, Italian basketball powerhouse A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano, from Chicago's sister-city Milan, will face-off against Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv at the United Center in the first leg of the inaugural Euro Classic Tournament. On Sunday, October 4th at 12:30 PM, A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano and Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv will play at Madison Square Garden in the second leg of the inaugural Euro Classic Tournament.

For the very first time, European-style basketball in its purest form will be on display at the in Chicago's own United Center, when the most successful team in Italian Basketball history A|X Armani Exchange Olimpia Milano hosts the most successful team in Israel, Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. The Euro Classic Tournament will then entertain fans in The Big Apple when they travel to New York to play the second leg of the inaugural tournament in Madison Square Garden.

Olimpia Milano has been an incredible story of success since its founding in 1936, and as it inaugurates its octogenarian anniversary this season, it is launching the Euro Classic, a tournament 80 years in the making. The Euro Classic will be a great opportunity to showcase the high quality playing-style of the best European teams in the birthplace of basketball. It will be a great opportunity for the Italian community and the Hebrew community to attend a game played in an Old World atmosphere with all the fan-thusiasm© and excitement, all on display in the brave new world of an NBA arena. From the entertainment of the fans displaying their team's colors, everything will be like watching a championship-caliber basketball game back home, but on the biggest stage in the world. What makes the event even more spectacular is that the opposing teams are two of the most successful in International basketball history as demonstrated by their having won a total of 9 European titles combined.

The Story of Olimpia Milano: "Le Scarpette Rosse" ("The Red Shoes")

Olimpia Milano, which has been owned by fashion icon Giorgio Armani since 2008, is the most successful team in the history of Italian basketball. It has won the Italian championship 26 times, has won the European title 3 times, and has won 8 additional prestigious, international tournaments. Olimpia Milano has always reaffirmed its excellence as the most successful team in Italian basketball history by developing the best Italian players, who take pride in wearing Olimpia Milano's signature scarpette rosse. This year's team features team captain, Alessandro Gentile, the youngest M.V.P. in the history of Italian basketball. Olimpia Milano has always been steeped in class, innovation, courage and spirit. With the announcement that successful Head Coach Jasmin Repesa will coach the team for the 2015- 2016 season, Repesa will be reunited with Gentile whom he coached in Treviso as a young prodigy. Olimpia Milano is renowned for excellence and is the most widely-followed team in Italy, with an average of 9,000 fans attending its home games. Every home game is broadcast live on National TV.

The Story of Maccabi Tel Aviv:

Maccabi Tel Aviv has always been the symbol of Israeli sports, a team which is synonymous with the nation of Israel, having won 51 national championships in 61 seasons, starting in 1954. The club has always been an International powerhouse, mixing the best Israeli players with the best American players. Maccabi's history is a history of excellence. In 2004 and 2005 the team was able to repeat and win back-to-back European titles. In its history, it won six European championships, while participating in 15 finals and winning 41 national cup tournaments. Maccabi was the first International team to defeat an NBA team back in 1978 in Tel Aviv, and then the first team to defeat an NBA team on its home court in 2005. It has played 22 games against NBA teams in the United States.

Olimpia Milano and the U.S.A.

For Olimpia Milano, inaugurating the Euro Classic is in character with its long and storied history. In 1987 Olimpia took part in the first official competition between an NBA and a European team, held in Milwaukee. No club outside the NBA has more representatives in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield: Coaches Cesare Rubini and Sandro Gamba, and players Dino Meneghin, Senator Bill Bradley and Bob McAdoo. The list of great players in America who used to play for Olimpia is impressive and also includes Mike D'Antoni (whose number 8 jersey has been retired), Danilo Gallinari, John Gianelli, Albert King, Rolando Blackman, Joe Barry Carroll, Skip Thoren, and Antoine Carr.

*To attend the inaugural Euro Classic: A/X Armani Exchange Milano vs. Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv In Chicago: Thursday, Oct. 1st @ 7:00 PM at The United Center

In New York: Sunday, Oct. 4th @ 12:30 PM at the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden

Individual tickets: may be obtained via www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. EA7 Olimpia Milano website: http://www.olimpiamilano.com

Link to the Version in Italiano: http://www.olimpiamilano.com/press-kit/

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Olimpia Milano – Fact Sheet

Olimpia Milano, was created in 1936 under the zodiac sign of success, and is the most successful team in the history of the Italian Basketball. Its colors are white and red, and the team is often referred to as the "Scarpette Rosse" (The Red Shoes) because team officials initially negotiated for Pirelli to make red Superga sneakers and then in 1971 the Club imported red sneakers from Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars from the U.S.A. for its players. The nickname stuck and is still used by the Club's many fans throughout Italy.

From its founding in 1936 until 1955 the Club was sponsored by Borletti and was called Borletti Milano. From 1956 to 1973 it was renamed Simmenthal. Other famous sponsorships were Billy, Simac, Tracer, Phillips, Recoaro, Stefanel, Sony, Adecco, Pippo, Breil, Armani Jeans and presently EA7-Emporio Armani. Olimpia Milano has been owned by fashion icon Giorgio Armani since 2008.

Olimpia Milano is the most successful basketball team in Italy, having won 26 Italian Championships (scudetti), 3 Euroleague Championship Titles, 4 Italian Cup Championships, 1 Intercontinental Cup Title, 3 Saporta Cups Titles, 2 Korac' Cup Titles and 22 junior team titles.

Olimpia Milano by the Numbers:
26 Italian Championships: 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1957, 1958,

1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1996, 2014 4 Italian Cup Championships: 1972, 1986, 1987, 1996

3 Euroleague Championships (Coppa dei Campioni): 1966, 1987, 1988 1 Intercontinental Cup Title: 1987
3 Saporta Cup Titles: 1971, 1972, 1976
2 Korać Cup Titles: 1985, 1993

1 Triple Crown: 1987 1 Little Slam: 1972

No club outside the NBA has more representatives in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield than does Olimpia Milano: Coaches Cesare Rubini and Sandro Gamba, and players Dino Meneghin, Senator Bill Bradley and Bob McAdoo. The list of great players who used to play for Olimpia is impressive and also includes Mike D'Antoni, Danilo Gallinari, John Gianelli, Albert King, Rolando Blackman, Joe Barry Carroll, Skip Thoren, and Antoine Carr.

Olimpia Milano has retired the numbers of two players: Mike D'Antoni (Number 8) and Arthur Kenney (Number 18). Senator Bill Bradley wore Number 15.

For more information:

In Milan contact Claudio Limardi, Director of Marketing & Communication EA7 Olimpia Milano, ufficiostampa@olimpiamilano.com

In NYC contact Art Kenney, olimpiamilano18@gmail.com