Italy: the 14 for France, out goes Datome. Pozzecco swaggering
National team coach Pozzecco: “They won’t get rid of us easily.”
The national team’s preparations toward the 2023 World Cup qualifying games and EuroBasket 2022 continue. On Tuesday, Aug. 16, in Montpellier, the Azzurri pay a visit to France after a one-point, overtime (77-78) loss in Bologna last Friday in front of 6,000 spectators. The goal is to take another step toward official competitions in late August and early September by testing themselves against one of the strongest teams around.
Two o’clock kickoff at 8:30 p.m. at Sud de France Arena with live coverage on Sky Sports Action.
Thus CT Gianmarco Pozzecco: “We come from two days of necessary stop. The Bologna game gave us many positive signs and tomorrow we will have to show that we can suffer. It will be a complicated and totally different game. I will have to try less tested situations but I respect my players and I am sure that France will not get rid of my guys easily. Gigi Datome, who is on precautionary rest due to a slight fatigue, will not be in the match.”
Leaving the Azzurro gathering, due to club commitments, is assistant coach Giuseppe Poeta. He will rejoin the team at the 2023 World Cup qualifying windows in November and February. CT Pozzecco’s coaching staff will therefore consist of senior assistant Carlo Recalcati and assistants Edoardo Casalone, Riccardo Fois and Federico Fucà.
“After Paolo Galbiati,” comments the coach, “we lose another piece de 90, an extraordinary man and great player who in any capacity will have a bright future. A true star who even President Petrucci appreciates very much and who began a formative path alongside the great Ettore Messina.”
The Azzurri
#00 Amedeo Della Valle (1993, 194, G, Germani Brescia)
#0 Marco Spissu (1995, 184, P, Umana Reyer Venezia)
#1 Niccolo Mannion (2001, 190, P, Segafredo Virtus Bologna)
#6 Paul Biligha (1990, 200, C, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
#7 Stefano Tonut (1993, 194, G, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
#8 Danilo Gallinari (1988, 208, A, Boston Celtics – NBA)
#9 Nicolò Melli (1991, 206, A, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
#13 Simone Fontecchio (1995, 203, A, Utah Jazz – NBA)
#16 Amedeo Tessitori (1994, 208, C, Umana Reyer Venezia)
#17 Giampaolo Ricci (1991, 202, A, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
#25 Tommaso Baldasso (1998, 192, P, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
#33 Achille Polonara (1991, 205, A, Anadolu Efes Istanbul – Turkey)
#54 Alessandro Pajola (1999, 194, P, Segafredo Virtus Bologna)
#70 Luigi Datome (1987, 203, A, A|X Armani Exchange Milano)
