Italbasket scores again; after Croatia, Slovenia also falls
That makes it two out of two. Following their victory over Croatia, Italy also defeated Slovenia in Celje (83-86), wrapping up their mini-preparation cycle in the best possible way ahead of the third qualifying window for the 2027 World Cup. The Azzurri will return to Rome on Sunday to continue training at the Olympic Training Center before departing for Reykjavik on Wednesday, July 1. The following day, they’ll face Iceland (9:45 p.m. local time, 7:45 p.m. in Italy), while on July 5, Lithuania will visit the Virtus Arena in Bologna (8:00 p.m.).
Stefano Tonut led the Italian offense, finishing as the top scorer with 18 points. Tommaso Baldasso (16), Nico Mannion (14), and Amedeo Tessitori (12) also scored in double figures. After the game, head coach Marco Ramondino emphasized the value of the test match: “Another tough game that helps us prepare for the level of competition awaiting us in Iceland and Bologna. The positive aspect was the team’s attitude and commitment. There were ups and downs again today, but we’ll use these last few days of training to minimize those lapses.”
Italy started the game with confidence, staying close and responding to the Slovenians’ more physical play. After seven minutes, however, the home team went on an 8-0 run fueled by three-pointers from Krofli and Cerkvenik and a dunk by Joksimovi, taking a 22-16 lead. Candi’s three-pointer breaks the momentum, followed by points from Ricci and free throws by Baldasso, tying the score at 24-24 to close out the first quarter. Mannion is already making his mark with 9 points and 2 assists.
In the second quarter, shooting percentages dropped, but the game remained evenly matched. Tonut found his rhythm and scored 10 points in just five minutes of play. Severini’s three-pointer puts Italy ahead, then Tessitori, with five consecutive points, and three-pointers by Mannion and Tonut push Italy to a +7 lead (40–47). Rossato, who was called up to the roster in place of Procida—who was sidelined with a mild case of the flu—hit a three-pointer late in the quarter. At halftime, the Azzurri led 54-43, fueled by Tonut’s 13 points and Mannion’s 12.
After returning from the locker room, Slovenia stepped up its physical intensity and quickly got back into the game. A 9-0 run brought the hosts within two points, before Tessitori’s three-pointer gave Italy some breathing room (52-57). However, the Azzurri struggled to find offensive rhythm, and Cerkvenik put Slovenia ahead 61-59. Tonut immediately responded with a three-pointer to retake the lead, and the third quarter ended with Italy holding a narrow lead, 66-64.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Tommaso Baldasso breaks the deadlock; after staying on the sidelines for three quarters, he scores a basket plus a foul and immediately follows it up with another clutch shot, racking up six crucial points to extend Italy’s lead (75-70). Slovenia doesn’t give up, and with Omić they retake the lead at 78-76 with two minutes left on the clock. In the decisive moments, Mannion and Tonut take charge: the Italian point guard creates a signature basket, while the Olimpia guard finishes a fast break that gives Italy the lead again (78-80). In the closing moments, Baldasso was ice-cold from the free-throw line, and despite Slovenia’s attempts to stay in the game, Italy maintained the necessary lead to close out the game at 86-83 and earn a well-deserved second consecutive victory.
