Italbasket: last two pre-World Cup challenges in China
Italbasket: last two pre-World Cup challenges in China
Italbasket is in Asia. Passing through Doha and Hong Kong, the Azzurri landed in China on the local afternoon of Friday, August 18. The team will stay in the city of Shenzhen until Aug. 22, the day of departure for Manila. Starting Sunday, the last two friendly matches in preparation for the FIBA World Cup 2023 are scheduled: for the Solidarity Cup, Italy-Brazil (Aug. 20, 9 a.m. Italian time) and Italy-New Zealand (Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m. Italian time) will be played. No television coverage is planned.
After the five wins in as many friendlies in Europe, the first acclimatization tests in Asia are therefore coming for coach Gianmarco Pozzecco’s boys, who will face two teams also preparing for the rainbow championship. The Brazilians will play the first phase in Indonesia, in Jakarta, in Group G with Spain, Iran and Ivory Coast. The New Zealanders, on the other hand, will be in Manila in Group C with the United States, Jordan and Greece.
The Azzurri’s World Cup debut is scheduled for Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Manila starting at 10 a.m. Italian time. Same time for the second match in Group A at Araneta Coliseum against the Dominican Republic on Aug. 27. Closing against the hosts Philippines on Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. Italian time also at Araneta Coliseum. FIBA World Cup matches will be broadcast by Rai, Sky Sports and DAZN.
These are the 12 World Cup Azzurri.
#0 Marco Spissu (1995, 185, Playmaker, Umana Reyer Venezia)
#7 Stefano Tonut (1993, 194, Guard, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#9 Nicolò Melli (1991, 205, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#13 Simone Fontecchio (1995, 203, Wing, Utah Jazz – NBA)
#17 Giampaolo Ricci (1991, 202, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
#18 Matteo Spagnolo (2003, 194, Playmaker, Alba Berlin – Germany)
#33 Achille Polonara (1991, 205, Wing, Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
#35 Mouhamet Diouf (2001, 206, Wing/Center, Río Breogán – Spain)
#40 Luca Severini (1996, 204, Wing/Center, Bertram Yacht Tortona)
#50 Gabriele Procida (2002, 200, Guard/Ala, Alba Berlin – Germany)
#54 Alessandro Pajola (1999, 194, Playmaker, Virtus Segafredo Bologna)
#70 Luigi Datome (1987, 203, Wing, EA7 Emporio Armani Milano)
