Gianmarco Pozzecco with three rookies in Iceland

Iceland-Italy

Iceland-Italy eve. Tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 22, the Azzurri take on the hosts. The one that will be staged at the Laugardalholl Sport Centre in Reykjavik at 8:30 p.m. Italian time (7:30 p.m. local live on DAZN and Sky Sport Uno, Arena and Now) will be the first of the two matches against the Scandinavians pending the “return” in Reggio Emilia on Monday, Nov. 25 (8:30 p.m., live DAZN, Sky Sport Uno and Now). PalaBigi alreadyà Sold-Out.

After two victories last February against Turkey in Pesaro (87-80) and Hungary in Szombathely (62-83), coach Gianmarco Pozzecco’s boys are called to a tricky away game. This is told by the recent history of the confrontations between Italy and Iceland and especially by the difficulties encountered by the technical staff in assembling a roster that, between absences and injuries, has had to undergo several adjustments in recent days. In fact, after the forfeit of John Petrucelli è came also that of Davide Casarin, stopped by a sprained ankle in the last training session before the flight to Reykjavik. The simultaneity of the international calendars did the rest and so the CT will have three rookies in the squad: Grant Basile, Federico Poser and Riccardo Rossato. Three debuts that will be accompanied by the’experience of Marco Spissu, Captain for the’occasion thanks to his 57 appearances, Amedeo Tessitori (53) and Michele Vitali (40).

Grant Basile, born in Pewaukee, Wisconsin but with Sicilian great-grandfather, currently plays in A2 at the’Acqua San Bernardo Cantù averaging 18.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in the league. Two years ago the’experience with the “Green Team”, a sort of experimental National Team led by coach Edoardo Casalone with the technical supervision of the Poz. For him two double-doubles, both 19 points and 11 rebounds, in the two friendlies against experimental Spain in Torrejon de Ardoz.

Not a novelty’Azzurro for Venetians Riccardo Rossato and Federico Poser, who boast several appearances in Youth Selections. For Rossato, since this year at the newly promoted Pallacanestro Trapani, three European Championships (Under 20 in 2016, Under 18 in 2014 and Under 16 in 2012) with to his credit also a World Under 18 3×3 in 2013. For Poser, this’year at Vanoli Cremona, an Under 20 European Championship in 2019 and a rally in Trento last summer.