Gianmarco Pozzecco wins first and doesn’t forget Meo Sacchetti

Italy ok

Head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco’s first official outing on the Italbasket bench was a heavy away win against the Netherlands (81-92) on the way to the FIBA World Cup 2023, the World Cup to be played next year between Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Azzurri thus finish in first place in Group H ahead of Iceland and the Netherlands itself, carrying 6 points, the result of 3 wins, into the second phase. The path will continue with the “windows” of August, November and February 2023 but only next Thursday, the day of Ukraine-Spain, will the schedule be known. For sure there will be challenges to Spain, Georgia and Ukraine.

“I am very happy because we won a game that was not at all easy,” said Meo Sacchetti’s successor. “The Netherlands is a well-coached team that had nothing to lose tonight. It was the victory of the group because everyone gave their contribution, no one excluded. Including the four guys who are not with us here in Almere (Alviti, Flaccadori, Severini and Woldetensae, ed.), Tommaso Baldasso who did not come in and Amedeo Della Valle who did not get many minutes. I saw the desire to look for each other, pass the ball and play together. It is never easy when you change coach and system of play, but for that very reason I want to thank all the players for the great willingness with which they trained. And I also thank coach Meo Sacchetti for the work done so far. It was my first official game and before the match I was tense and nervous. Now I am happy for this victory and for the role I play: an honor.”