Italy knocks out France, Gianmarco Pozzecco lists the good news

A defeat that leaves a smile on the lips, however.

In Bologna, basketball Italy narrowly succumbed to the dreaded France, coming close to pulling off the feat until overtime. Here it was the transaplini who prevailed for the final 78-77, but Gian Marco Pozzecco said he was more than satisfied with his team’s performance.

“There was a great intensity, and I’m happy with the performance,” CT Pozzecco in fact commented in the postgame. “We passed the ball well, conceding little, and doing the things we have in mind to do. Too bad about the last two shots, but I am very happy that Nico (Mannion) and Marco (Spissu) took responsibility.” The best Azzurro scorer is Simone Fontecchio who, with 24 points, touches his career high in the national team (23 points, again against France, in Tokyo 2020). Double figures also for Danilo Gallinari (13 points).

“We thank John Petrucelli, who will not continue with us in preparation. He is a wonderful guy, who gave us a great hand both with the Netherlands and in this first part of the summer. Today we never gave up, and in fact we were able to regain a game that seemed to have slipped away. The great presence of the Bologna crowd is a very good sign. Those who came to the palace tonight are going home with great memories,” Pozzecco concluded.