Benetton Basket returns to the Eurocup for the fifth consecutive season off its best season ever in the competition. Benetton made it to the Eurocup Finals and hosted the event in Treviso, but could not beat Cajasol Sevilla in the semifinals. A fifth-place finish in Italy showed that Benetton is in the right way to get back to its glory days. Founded in 1954, the team became a European powerhouse with the arrival of the Benetton family as owners in 1982. Its first Italian League title came in 1992 when Vinny Del Negro and the legendary Toni Kukoc arrived. Kukoc helped Benetton reach the Euroleague title game in 1993 and also sparked a string of three consecutive Italian Cup crowns. In 1995, Benetton lifted its first European trophy, the Saporta Cup. Orlando Woolridge and Petar Naumoski led Benetton to a 94-86 win in the title game against Baskonia. Benetton won a second domestic title in 1997, made a Euroleague Final Four appearance in 1998 and conquered a second Saporta Cup trophy in 1999 with Zeljko Obradovic as head coach and Zeljko Rebraca as its star player. In 2001-02 with Tyus Edney, Ricky Pittis, Denis Marconato or Jorge Garbajosa as its signature players, Benetton won the Italian League and made it to the Euroleague Final Four. Trajan Langdon arrived the following season and Benetton reached its second Euroleague final, losing against FC Barcelona. Despite reaching the Top 16 on regular basis, Benetton did not get back to the Final Four. In 2007, Benetton lifted its eighth Italian Cup and was one win away from reaching the Euroleague playoffs, but missed the Italian playoffs for the first time since 1990. Benetton has played the Eurocup every year since the 2007-08 season, reaching the Final Eight in 2009 and the semifinals last season. With an outstanding fan base, a new signature head coach and a great basketball tradition, Benetton will be one of the teams to beat in the 2011-12 Eurocup.