After the 37-point swatter for his team, Italy’s national basketball coach drew all the attention again.
Gianmarco Pozzecco, known for his memorable performances since the EM 2022, struggled with the tournament mode after losing the World Cup quarter-finals against top favorite USA.
“They didn’t deserve to play against the USA because they were first in their group. That’s sport. Before the game I loved all the players, now I love them even more,” said the 50-year-old after the clear 63-100 against the Olympic champion.
The USA surprisingly lost to Lithuania in the intermediate round and therefore finished second. That’s how they met Italy.
“We Can’t Fly”
By the time the press conference began, Pozzecco had asked the journalists about their well-being – and where they came from.
“USA? Honduras? Egypt?” the coach shouted, the journalists present laughed. When player Nicolo Melli finished his statement, Pozzecco applauded demonstratively and said: “Thank you, bye bye.”
The spokeswoman for the world association Fiba pointed out to the trainer that the reporters’ questions would now be asked. He compared his own team to hornets. Sobering, he stated: “We can’t fly.”
Pozzecco had already drawn attention to himself at the 2022 European Championship. The Italian was sent off in the round of 16 victory over Serbia, cried afterwards and promised after the success to provide his pros with his own credit card.
“We shocked the world like Muhammad Ali. Maybe this is the biggest victory in the history of Italian basketball,” a completely enraptured Pozzecco said about the success at the time. He delivered a similar show this time in Manila.