Ambitious in this 2023 World Cup, Italy took a hit on the head with their defeat against the Dominican Republic. Very nervous, Gianmarco Pozzecco was sent off when his players were clumsy at 3-pts so Karl-Anthony Towns and his gang took advantage.
As the Italians had won their first match, they are not eliminated, but they will have to win against the Philippines to continue the adventure. Nevertheless, the president of the national federation did not appreciate the spectacle proposed.
“I spoke to all the coaching staff: we must not relive such an episode”, ad Gianni Petrucci. “I don’t want to see this anymore. We didn’t lose because of refereeing errors, it’s not the right mentality. The Dominican Republic deserved their victory and we didn’t lose because of that. You always have to accept the result on the floor. Mistakes exist and there always will be. It’s not FIBA’s fault either. I told the coach and the staff: we have a reputation to uphold. »
The message has been sent and the objective is clear: go far in this competition to validate the ticket for Paris 2024.
“This World Cup makes it possible to go to the Olympic Games, and not only to the qualifying tournament for the Games (the TQO)“, continues the leader of Italy. “We have all the elements to continue, let’s not make a story out of it. We lost a match, it happens. Our attitude was not good and we cannot accept it. Out of the question. »
