Italy awaits Turkey: Ataman reveals backstory on Pozzecco
Italy awaits Turkey: Ataman reveals backstory on Pozzecco
The presentation of the ninth edition of the Trentino Basket Cup was held in the Castello del Buonconsiglio, which starting tomorrow night at the BLM Arena in Trento will see Italy, China, Turkey and Cape Verde on the court, in the first appointment in preparation for the FIBA World Cup 2023.
FIP President Giovanni Petrucci wanted to thank Trentino for its hospitality: “We have always been well here, thanks to the welcome of a special people and the organizational quality of Aquila Basket Trento. Djordjevic and Ataman are friends of mine and of Italian basketball, they are extraordinary sportsmen and not just great coaches. A high-level tournament awaits us, we want to grow day by day to arrive ready for the World Cup. The Trentino Basket Cup is a great starting point, as always.”
Ergin Ataman, coach of Turkey, revealed an anecdote he experienced together with coach Pozzecco at the last EuroBasket: “The Poz called me after our crazy defeat with France, which matured in the last seconds with two mistakes from the lunette, to have some news about the transalpines. After Italy’s knockout with France, whose epilogue was very similar to ours, I told the Poz that he had better not call me… Thank you all for the invitation to this tournament, Trentino is a hospitable land that loves basketball.”
“In Folgaria we spent a very pleasant week, surrounded by everyone’s affection. For a group like the national team returning to work after so many months, it is essential to receive smiles and so much availability. Thank you to everyone. As for the phone call with Coach Ataman, I remember it was very valuable. Maybe I should have hung up a few seconds earlier,” Pozzecco said.
SImone Fontecchio also spoke ahead of the challenge with the Turks: “I echo the words of the Poz, the welcome we received in Folgaria was simply extraordinary and on behalf of the whole team I want to thank everyone who stood by us. I am sure that in the coming days there will be a lot of people to support us at the Palazzetto, it will be nice also because it is the rhyme time we will take the court in preparation for the World Cup after a week of gathering. We are looking forward to it.”
