Volpi Rosse Menarini Unveils 'Fantastic Ten' for the 2025-2026 Season
Volpi Rosse Menarini Ready to Make an Impact in 2025-2026 Season
On November 25, 2025, the Volpi Rosse Menarini wheelchair basketball team officially unveiled their lineup for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. This press event, held in Florence, Italy, showcased a unique blend of talents from around the world, all unified by their ambition to make a difference both in Italy and across Europe.
The newly assembled team, known as the 'Fantastic Ten,' will compete in the FIPIC Serie A Italian Championship and the Eurocup 3, set to take place in Amsterdam from March 12 to 15, 2026. The roster includes players from diverse backgrounds, stretching from Spain and Finland to Sweden, France, Italy, and Brazil, representing a truly international legacy.
Team’s Journey and Achievements
Founded in 2005, Volpi Rosse Menarini has become a beacon of growth through sport. The players’ passion and talent have transformed each game into a testament of inclusion and perseverance. With Menarini Group serving as the main sponsor since 2011, the team has thrived, reflecting the core values of solidarity and sportsmanship shared by both entities.
Lucia and Alberto Giovanni Aleotti, shareholders, and board members of Menarini, expressed, “Volpi Rosse Menarini and our Group are like two interlinked vessels, sharing the same values that we believe in each and every day.” This unwavering determination and commitment to improvement has been the hallmark of the team. The competition in the Italian Serie A is merely a stepping stone toward achieving greater heights in the Eurocup 3.
Promoting Inclusion and Awareness
Beyond their competitive spirit, the team also focuses on community outreach by promoting inclusion and awareness initiatives among schoolchildren in Florence. Menarini's support extends beyond Italian borders, as they also back the Menarini Joventut wheelchair basketball team based in Badalona, Spain. This endeavor aims to foster a more inclusive society through basketball, creating a supportive community for athletes with disabilities.
Highlights and Progress
Volpi Rosse Menarini has achieved remarkable results in recent competitions. After placing third in the Italian U22 Championship and winning the UISP Italian Championship in the 2017-18 season, the team continued to excel, securing second place in the U22 Championship and winning the International Tournament in Kavala, Greece the following year. After a pandemic-induced hiatus in the 2020-21 season, they triumphed in both the U22 Championship and Serie B, earning promotion to the top league.
During subsequent seasons, the team's performance remained consistently strong in Serie A, finishing eighth in 2021-22 and sixth in 2022-23 while also clinching the Eurocup 3 title in France. In the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, they maintained their competitive edge by finishing fifth and confirming their position in Serie A.
Menarini Group: A Global Healthcare Leader
The Menarini Pharmaceutical Group, based in Florence, operates in 140 countries worldwide, generating a consolidated revenue of 4.6 billion euros and employing over 17,000 individuals. The company has nine research and development centers, ensuring their products cater to critical health areas such as cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, and more. With 18 manufacturing plants, Menarini produces over 609 million units annually, adhering to the highest quality standards to continuously enhance patient health globally.
As the Volpi Rosse Menarini embarks on a new season, their commitment to excellence on the court and within their community showcases the power of sport as a catalyst for positive change. With a supportive infrastructure and a drive for inclusion, the team is poised for success, not just in their performance but also in inspiring others along the way.