Italy’s victory over Turkey in Istanbul, Gianmarco Pozzecco wrinkles his eyes

Special night for Italy, which beat Turkey in Istanbul (67-80) showcasing some of the best prospects of our basketball through a game made of personality, concreteness, concentration and application. A heavy external success that gives Italy mathematical supremacy in the round even before facing Hungary in Reggio Calabria (Sunday, Feb. 23, 8:30 p.m. live DAZN and Sky Sport Uno) but that, above all, gives a glimpse of a rosy future, albeit all still to be built.

Thusì CT Pozzecco: “The boys played a crazy game playing one for the other against a very strong team in a not easy environment. The choice to build such a young roster was complex but stemmed from my strong belief that these guys deserve consideration and support.
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All of them deserved to experience this night. They have lived the responsibilityà of the moment and know that we all believe in them. I am proud of this team, which I can call a family”.

Così Captain Pajola: “We played a great game both offensively and defensively turning the ball over and helping each other. È it was my first game as captain in the national team and I am very happy and proud of my teammates. Beautiful night”.

The Azzurri, under the eyes of Nik Melli and without Saliou Niang stopped in the morning by a slight flu condition, dominated the first half, resisted the hosts’s assault and in the last 10 minutes knocked out the Turks. Best scorer Giordano Bortolani with 16 points (career high in the national team). Also in double figures were Matteo Spagnolo (14), Gabriele Procida and Ale Pajola (12 with the captain at his career high) and Nicola Akele (11). 10 rebounds and 8 points for Momo Diouf.
In the other match in Group B, Hungary won 87-78 and overturned the basket difference against Iceland. The Magyars will arrive in Reggio Calabria with dreams of qualifying still alive. They will have to beat Italy and hope Iceland doesn’t beat Turkey.

È a’beautiful and brash Italy the one that won the first quarter in Istanbul 12-17: led by the points of Matteo Spagnolo and Gabriele Procida (6+5) and especially by the strong presence under the baskets of Momo Diouf (5 rebounds in 8 minutes), Pozzecco’s team did not suffer the pressure of a hot and packed arena. Although young, personality is not lacking in this team, which puts Coach Ataman’s experienced men in trouble.

Things do not change in the second half, with Akele’s triple and Bortolani’s free throws sending Italy to +8 (16-24). Spagnolo from the line stretches further (+10) and for Turkey è a really tough task to overcome the focused and compact Azzurri defense. Hazer finds conclusions from the distance but not even his extemporaneous solutions distract Italy, which finds continuity in offense also thanks to Giordano Bortolani (12 points all in the second quarter). For the Turks è late night at -18 (23-41).
First basket (and what a basket!) in the Senior National Team for Dame Sarr, who starts from the left side and nails the 27-43. A big triple by Pajola, tonight Captain and in his 50th appearance in the Azzurro, sends the teams to rest 31-48. Twenty minutes of quality offense and defense: just applause for this team.
In double figures at’halftime Bortolani (12), Spagnolo and Procida (10). 6 rebounds for Diouf.

As expected, Turkey tries to come back at the beginning of the third quarter but again the Azzurri, despite the Gelisim Merkezi’s broadsides of whistles, continue to work without breaking down and fighting on every ball. Hazer shortens 42-54 and for Poz è timeout time in the 25th. The moment è delicate and Osman’s free throws are those of -10 (44-54). Shooting errors and a couple of fumbles complicate things: Procida makes 1/2 from the lunette and Bortolani ès underhand; oxygen with two minutes to play before the last break (44-57). Kabaca and Bitim thin the gap but Akele closes the fraction with the +10 basket (50-60).
Chilling last 10 minutes: Turkey pushes and for the Azzurri è very hard to resist the pressure. In the top moment comes a partial of 8-0 that chases away the clouds: Diouf with a free, heavy triple by Pajola and baskets by Bortolani and Akele for the new +16 with six minutes on the clock. The worst seems to be over but Bitim does not è agree. His flashes kept Ataman’s lineup alive and it came back to within -7 (63-70). A flash is needed and Pajola answers with another triple of indescribable specific weight. So’as is yet another offensive rebound (the tenth of the game) by a monumental Diouf. These are the foundations on which the Azzurri build a victory much more than deserved.

The scoreboard

Turkey-Italy 67-80 (12-17, 19-31, 19-12, 17-20)
Turkey: Larkin* 4 (2/2, 0/4), Hazer 13 (3/6, 2/3), Osman* 16 (2/4, 1/6), Bitim 13 (2/2, 3/6), Kabaca 3 (0/1, 1/2), Haltali* 4 (2/2), Mutaf 3 (0/1, 1/2), Korkmaz 2 (1/1, 0/3), Osmani* 3 (1/2, 0/1), Yilmaz 2 (0/1, 0/1), Sipahi* 2 (1/2), Yasar 2 (1/2). All: Ataman
Italy: Sarr 2 (1/2), Spagnolo* 14 (5/9), Procida* 12 (3/3, 1/6), Basile ne, Bortolani 16 (4/8, 1/5), Caruso 4 (2/3), Diouf* 8 (3/7), Rossato 1 (0/1 from three), Severini* (0/2 from three), Akele 11 (4/5, 1/1), Pajola* 12 (0/1, 3/5). All: Pozzecco

Tur 15/26 shots from two, Ita 22/38; Tur 8/32 shots from three, Ita 6/20; Tur 13/16 free throws, Ita 18/27. Rebounds Tur 28 (9 Osmani), Ita 40 (10 Diouf). Assists Tur 14 (7 Sipahi), Ita 14 (6 Pajola).
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Gone out 5 fouls: none
Referees: Ademir Zurapovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Andris Aunkrogers (Latvia), Blaz Zupancic (Slovenia)
Spectators: 10,000 (Sold-out)