Italy-Argentina, Gianmarco Pozzecco opens book of memories

A fortnight before its debut at EuroBasket, the national team is set to play its last friendly in Italy on Thursday, August 14, before flying to Athens to play the Acropolis tournament and then to Limassol for its debut at EuroBasket 2025.

21 years ago, on August 28, 2004 in Athens, Italy faced Argentina in the final of the Olympic Games. A bitter defeat that turned, already two minutes after the conclusion of the match, into a great explosion of happiness on the podium in Five Circles. Since then, the Azzurri have never crossed paths with the South Americans. They will do so Thursday night at a sold-out PalaDozza in Bologna (8 p.m., live Sky Sport Basket, Now and Courtside 1891 FIBA).

Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco spoke this way on the eve of the game: “Tomorrow’s against Argentina will be another good test to check our condition at all levels. The South Americans have different characteristics than the teams we have faced so far and we will try to take advantage of the opportunity to take another step forward in our growth path and close this step of our preparation in the best possible way before we meet again in Rome”.

“Playing again against Argentina, albeit as a coach, after the unforgettable match in 2004 for me has a very special flavor – added the national team coach -. A crossroads that opens the jar of the best memories in my career as an athlete with the National Team Jersey. It will be special as always to play at PalaDozza, which once again will be sold-out. For me who played here it is like coming home. The enthusiasm of the Bologna crowd will give us the right sprint to close the cycle of friendlies in Italy”.

L’Italbasket arrives to the challenge with the Argentines after three wins in the first three season friendlies against Iceland and Senegal in Trento and especially against Latvia in Trieste. Three tests that brought enthusiasm to the Azzurra household but also the knowledge that there is still a lot of work to be done before the EuroBasket debut scheduled for Aug. 28 against Greece in Limassol. The Argentines will play the Americup in Nicaragua from Aug. 22-31 starting in Group C with the hosts, the Dominican Republic and Colombia.