Gianmarco Bosecco (Photo: EPA)
(ANSA) – Beijing, August 21 – The Italian basketball team defeated New Zealand 88-81 in several games to prepare for the World Cup scheduled for Friday, September 25-10 in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
DD Gianmarco Bossecco’s “Azzurra” bid an unbeaten farewell to the “Solidarity Cup” held in Shenzhen, China, where they also beat Brazil the day before.
Matteo Spagnolo was Italy’s tally in the win with 14 points, two more than Giampolo Ricci and Stefano Donat (12), while Achill Pollonara contributed 10 goals.
“The first thing we understood was that we could lose against everybody.
“I talked to the players about it, it could happen to us or anyone,” Pozecko said.
“But what remains is what they have built from Folgaria’s concentrated qualifiers to this clear path ahead of the World Cup.
Regardless. This team has a present and a future,” said the Italian coach.
“We have to be emotionally happy because it’s not going to be a match that will change the opinion of this team and these guys,” Bosseco stressed.
The Italian delegation heads to Manila on Tuesday to finalize details of their World Cup debut after back-to-back wins against Turkey, China, Serbia, Greece, Puerto Rico, Brazil and New Zealand.
The “Azzurra” will coordinate Group A of the World Cup, in which they will make their debut on Friday the 25th against Angola, two days later they will face the Dominican Republic and play against the Philippines on Tuesday the 29th. (ANSA).
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