Italy champion of Europe Under 20, beats Lithuania in final

Italy won the European under-20 men’s basketball championship by beating Lithuania 83-66 in the final. The Azzurri return to win a gold medal after the one they won in 2013 and after the one in 1992 (then, however, the category was Under 22).

A clear-cut, deserved, suffered success achieved by playing a tournament of substance, quality and sacrifice. A triumph achieved by playing the finals with eight members due to the four injuries that mowed down the team upon its arrival in Crete.

Francesco Ferrari (26 points tonight) was voted Mvp of the European Championship and included in the best quintet of the event. Close to a double-double, with 17 points and 9 rebounds Elisee Assui, while 13 points is the haul of David Torresani.

So did FIP President Giovanni Petrucci: “This is a team that made us fall in love as we went along and went beyond limitations and bad luck. Congratulations to Coach Rossi and the entire staff for an extraordinary result that has been missing since 2013. Even Minister Abodi called me to congratulate these guys.”

So did coach Alessandro Rossi: “A great joy for these boys. I wish the cover is all for them. I am also happy for the Federation that has started a project of a certain kind, and I think this is a good response for the whole movement and of the clubs that train these boys all year round. It’s everyone’s victory. We are happy and we enjoy it.”

MVP Francesco Ferrari: “We are very proud of this result. Since the beginning of the gathering in Domegge we had as a goal to get into the top 8 in Europe and then once there play with everyone. With Israel we struggled but we knew we could do something very special and we did it. Today we gave everything knowing also that it was our last experience in the Under 20s. I repeat: very proud and FORZA ITALIA!”