Matilde Villa and adidas with Airdom

We are proud to have hosted Matilde in our Milan store. With her remarkable talent, extraordinary determination, and ability to inspire the next generation, she embodies the essence of basketball today and for the future.
The event alternated between moments of deep emotion and pure fun, showcasing everything we love about our activations: style, with the launch of the adidas Anthony Edwards; connection, through a Q&A where Matilde shared her story as both an athlete and a person; and excitement, with the lightning game and free-throw challenges.

Relive the event through this video.

Video Matilde

Q&A WITH MATILDE VILLA

The event kicked off with our signature Q&A, hosted by Marco Dell’Uva, founder of International Young Baller. Through her answers to Marco, the players, and the media, Matilde shared her journey: from shooting hoops with her brother on local courts, to playing in Serie A1, and the unforgettable triumph of winning the championship with Umana Reyer Venezia—an experience she described as one of the most emotional moments of her career. She also revealed her idols: Steph Curry and Cecilia Zandalasini.

Listening with admiration and curiosity were 12 young athletes from Basket Costa Masnaga—the same team where Matilde began her career—and Sanga Basket.

"I think basketball is a beautiful game where you can have fun. Knowing there are girls who look up to me means a lot. It never feels like pressure; it’s simply something wonderful that surrounds me on the court and pushes me to do even better."

MATILDE VILLA’S PERFECT SHOES

"With these shoes, you’ll see me dunk."

Matilde also highlighted the importance of the right gear to enhance performance on the court. For her, basketball shoes must be comfortable, stable, and perfectly matched to her team colors—all qualities she found in the adidas Anthony Edwards, which she wore and presented during the event.

THE LIGHTNING AND FREE-THROW CHALLENGES

What better way to conclude the event than with a double challenge: lightning and free throws? Driven by the infectious energy of Alessandro Vecchiato—a true basketball enthusiast—the young players gave it their all, experiencing the magic of a game fueled by passion and teamwork. To wrap things up, a fun TikTok dance brought the perfect final touch of joy and camaraderie.

This activation marked another milestone for Airdom, which organized the event, and adidas, which enthusiastically partnered with Matilde to promote basketball as an inclusive sport without gender barriers.

Video Credits: Beppe BSA
Photo Credits: Francesca Di Fazio