European basketball championships, Italy-France 93-85. Azzurri eliminated, Pozzecco and Melli in tears

From our correspondent Andrea Tosi

September 14
– BERLIN

Miracles end in Berlin. The semifinal dream of Italy vanishes in overtime after having caressed another victory to be inscribed in history. The Azzurri are ahead 64-56 at the start of the third quarter and then 75-68 in the last 2 ‘. But here the team from Poz loses the edge of the game and fails all attacks to keep the opponents at a distance. Fontecchio fails two free throws and the shot for victory in regulation time and in extra time Huertel and Gobert take over. A pity, but this Italy falls to its feet and deserves applause

ITALY-FRANCE 85-93

–

France immediately took off, that is Evan Fournier, a shooter from New York, who immediately exploded two triples and a 2 + 1 that knocked out Tonut’s defense. Italy flounders but reacts with the usual Spissu who hits from three shaking the blues. After a few mistakes, Fontecchio gets in rhythm too. The Utah winger produces 8 points but France remains ahead because the changes keep the attack high: two three-pointers from Lawawu-Cabarrot and a torpedo from Heurtel hurt. There is a lot of shooting from long distance, for the Azzurri it is a requirement. First siren 20-27 France. The problem is that Melli doesn’t fuel. Second quarter, again Luwawu-Cabarrot finds the target from afar, ditto Heurtel. France is 9/13 from three but luckily throws many balls away. Fontecchio does not give up but in the meantime the French advantage rises to +11 (33-22). Arcobaleno di Spissu, then Polonara scores from below. Italy back in contact but always two or three possessions back. Finally Melli is released with a smash but then commits a foul on offense. Italy does not find its pace against a not exceptional France that does not rely on the long as it should to take advantage of physical superiority. At the break still +7 (31-38) for Gobert and teammates. Italy needs an emotional shot that limits the damage by shooting with 39% from two and 28% from three.

One step away

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On his return to the field Yabusele makes a big voice, looks for the decisive shoulder (33-43) in tandem with but Italy finds the aim and Melli is definitively in the match with two other dunks of anger. Triplona of Datome approaching the hook (52-53). Gigione is hot, then Mannion arrives: stolen and overtaking, Italy’s first advantage (57-56), then Mannion again in ecstasy, again the basket and assists for the 2 + 1 Polonara. At 30 ‘it is 62-56 for the Azzurri with a break of 17-3 beyond belief. Last quarter, there is +8 from Ricci, France seems to be on the boat but the Azzurri do not have the knockout blow. Gobert and Huertel return to -3 but there is super Spissu lurking: triple. Then also Fontecchio: 70-64. The finish is heart-pounding: from 75-68 to -2’15 “to 77-75. Blue ball at 18 ”from the end. Fontecchio fails two free at -13 “, Huertel draws at -5”. There is still a possession Fontecchio still misses the last thrust. It is extra Huertel commands and scores the baskets of the decisive draw while Italy ends up in the reserve.

Italy: Fontecchio 21, Spissu 21, Datome 12
France: Huertel 20, Gobert 19, Fournier 17