Italy, the dream continues: it’s final
One more. Italy overcomes Mexico (79-54) and qualifies for the final of the pre-Olympic Games, where tomorrow it will try to detach the pass for the Olympics, in the challenge against Croatia. The Azzurri commanded for all 40 minutes of the game, escaping in the second part of the third period (as also happened in the other two games), thanks to the usual great defensive performance and various protagonists on the other side of the court, from Gallinari ‘on fire’ in the first half to a Melli MVP of the evening, passing through the always important plays of Bargnani and Belinelli at various times of the game.
The beginning is a bit of a study between the two teams, then Gallinari tries to give a first shake to the match with a couple of triples, while the Azzurri dominate in rebounding (13-4 at 10′). They can’t get away, though, due to many mistakes from the line (7/14 at one point) and a few missed shots from close range, in addition to a Cruz always good at sewing up Italian breakaway attempts. However, there is a great Melli, a very hot Gallo from the arc and a defense always dominant, as in the first two games: the end of the first half is thus of the Italian brand, for the first double-digit lead (34-23 at 18′) of the match.
The gap widens up to +15 at the start of the resumption, with Belinelli’s first five points of the game, however, it is not enough to close the accounts, because some unusual moments of defensive distraction arrive and Mexico takes advantage of them to get closer (47-41 at 26′), especially with Jorge Gutierrez. It takes a timeout by Messina to shake Italy and the response is immediate: the defense becomes impenetrable, on the other side Melli and Aradori pierce the net and the 13-0 partial is worth the maximum lead (60-41 at 31′). It ends here, because the Azzurri no longer take their hands off the handlebars, have fun going on the counterattack and fly into the final. Now the last effort is needed, the decisive one to fly to Rio.
In collaboration with Basketissimo.com
