A trial. This is how we can sum up Italy’s quarter-final against Team USA. Gianmarco Pozzecco’s players took a huge slap (100-63), suffocated by the Americans and unable to put in from afar (7/38 at 3-pts).
These 40 minutes were long for the Italian coach, torn between the respect he has for his players and the regrets of having to meet Steve Kerr’s men at this time of the competition, following their defeat against Lithuania.
“We are in the eight best teams in the world”, does he remind Eurohoops. “My players didn’t deserve to play against the USA, because we finished first in our group. But it’s like that. I love my players and even more now. I respect them even more. »
Another elimination in the quarter-finals
Like his coach, Nicolo Melli also underlines the circumstances. “You have to be lucky and you deserve better than a quarter-final, but I’m proud of this group. We wanted a medal. We have to learn from this defeat and we will come back next summer, and again and again until we get there. » Next summer will be the pre-Olympic tournament, and another intense battle to win one of the four tockets.
Italy has been facing a real glass ceiling for a few years since at Eurobasket 2015, 2017 and 2022, as well as at the 2020 Olympic Games, it has always stopped in the quarter-finals!
“We are a little tired of losing at this stage of the competition”, admits Simone Fontecchio. “But we are in the eight best teams in the world and, opposite, they played the perfect match. We didn’t put anything. »
