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FIBA Europe Cup

Achille Polonara, the Return of a Warrior

Italy - Achille Polonara made his grand return with Dinamo Sassari. After long months of battling illness, the Italian forward returned to the court, an emotion-filled appearance that goes far beyond the simple sporting result.
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Achille Polonara, the Return of a Warrior
Photo Credit : Dinamo Sassari

Achille Polonara experienced a special moment on January 18 in Sassari. More than seven months after his last public appearance, the 6’9″ forward stepped back onto the court at Palasport Roberta Serradimigni, to a massive ovation from the crowd. A powerful image, symbolizing a rebirth after a true descent into hell.

An Evening Where the Score Was Secondary

Sportingly, the evening ended with a defeat for Dinamo Sassari against Napoli Basketball (78-84). A third consecutive loss across all competitions for the Sardinians, engaged in a difficult battle to remain in Serie A.

– Round 16
Banco di Sardegna Sassari78
Napoli Basketball84

But the result mattered little. What will remain is Achille Polonara’s return with his teammates, in warm-up gear, provoking a standing ovation from the nearly 5,000 spectators present in the arena.

A Battle for Life

At 34 years old, Achille Polonara has gone through the most difficult ordeal of his career, and especially of his life. The Italian international is battling leukemia, a fight that led him to a bone marrow transplant.

At a critical moment, he was even placed in a coma for ten days, with only a 10% chance of survival according to doctors. A dramatic episode from which he emerged victorious, at the cost of long months of care and rehabilitation.

A Long Career at the Highest Level

This return marks a major milestone for a player who has built a dense and respected career. Polonara spent his first ten professional seasons in Italy, notably with Teramo, Varese, Reggio Emilia and already Dinamo Sassari.

A regular in European competitions, he made a name for himself on the EuroLeague stage in 2019 with Baskonia, before successively wearing the jerseys of Fenerbahce, Anadolu Efes and Zalgiris Kaunas.

Returning to Italy during the 2023-2024 season, he joined Virtus Bologna, which was returning to the EuroLeague after more than ten years of absence.

A Cornerstone of the Italian National Team

Achille Polonara is also a pillar of the national team. He represented Italy at EuroBasket 2015 and 2022, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, as well as at the 2023 World Cup. An international career worthy of his club status.

A Difficult Season for Sassari

On the collective level, the 2025-2026 season is challenging for Dinamo Sassari. The club sits in 13th place in Serie A with a record of 5 wins and 10 losses. The players of former Limoges and Dijon coach Nenad Markovic are fighting for survival, far from the club’s standards as runners-up in the championship in 2019-2020 and winners of the FIBA Europe Cup in 2019, already with Polonara in their ranks.

In the FIBA Europe Cup, Sassari is also struggling, last in their second-phase group with a 0-3 record in the second round.

A Sporting Return Soon on the Horizon

While Achille Polonara has not yet played a single official minute this season, his active presence alongside the team is a very positive signal. His health is considered stable, and everything suggests that a return to game action could well happen in time.

Next appointment for Sassari on January 21, hosting Petkim Spor in the FIBA Europe Cup. Once again under the eyes of Achille Polonara?

Achille Polonara, the Return of a Warrior