TRENTO (Italy) – Concluding the training camp under the Alps with the Trentino Basket Cup is becoming an annual tradition for the Italian national team. This tradition continues for the 10th anniversary of an event that brings together fans of all ages, cheering for the Azzurri.
Tonight, they had one—or two, or three—more reasons to celebrate, as Gianmarco Pozzecco's squad beat Georgia 79-68 in their friendly game opener ahead of a busy summer schedule. Whether heading to Puerto Rico or Riga, both squads couldn't have asked for a better and more competitive preparation encounter .
The story of the game
In front of a packed house in Trento, Italy's approach wasn't ideal, as they conceded an early 8-0 run to their Caucasian opponents. This set the stage for an overall balanced clash, with Georgia showcasing its value through various strategies.
Three-pointers weren't a constant benchmark, for example. Relying on a fast-paced, up-tempo game, Aleksandar Dzikic's team often found an open player on the perimeter as the Italian defense collapsed on the frontline duo of Toko Shengelia and Goga Bitadze. The result? 5/8 from deep in the first ten minutes.
However, shots started to dance on the rim in the second quarter, with Georgia converting only one three-pointer out of eight attempts. This is when Gianmarco Pozzecco's team took control, heading to the locker room at halftime with a 9-0 run, conceding only seven points to their opponents.
Satisfying news followed Italy's victory, as Danilo Gallinari finally made his return to the national team after almost two years. The last time he wore his country's jersey was right before the start of FIBA EuroBasket 2022, in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers against... Georgia.
Neither team truly pulled away once the second half began, both affected by tiring training camps in Northern Italy. However, Achille Polonara banked in a crucial three-pointer to close the third quarter ahead 58-51. Considering his struggles at last year's 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup—where he shot 0/22 from three—this is more good news for Italy.
As the encounter drew to a close, Italy proved to be the better-prepared team in Trento. Georgia looked tired in the final stretch, and head coach Aleksandar Dzikic tested some experimental lineups. Nico Mannion and Achille Polonara brought showtime to the court, ensuring everyone went home with a smile.
The player of the game
On Danilo Gallinari's return night with Italy, he led the home side with 13 points, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd in Trento as he exited the court.
However, this night also belonged to two other protagonists. Nicolò Melli, the team captain, had an all-around performance with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Achille Polonara, who overcame a significant off-field challenge to start the 2023-24 season, is heading into summer duties in great form, as evidenced by his 12 points and 7 rebounds tonight.
Not choosing a single MVP might seem straightforward on paper, but this has long been Italy's strength: the group's collective effort prevails, especially without a primary scoring option like Simone Fontecchio.
The stats of the game
It's clear that Georgia will need to rely on fast possessions and a hectic, flow-oriented offense to challenge opposing teams. However, this approach can also lead to committing too many turnovers, as happened tonight for Georgia.
Losing 21 possessions is too much, especially when it translates into 31 points off turnovers for the opponents. Italy took advantage of this tonight, despite suffering from Georgia's dominance at the rim: the red-and-white side won the rebounding battle 38-25.
The takeaways from the game
Tonight's victory demonstrated once again that Italy can never be underestimated in a 40-minute hard-fought clash. Group spirit, mental strength, and cohesiveness are the hallmarks of Gianmarco Pozzecco's coaching style. This translated into fluid possessions and involvement from everyone, with 38 of the team's 79 points coming from the bench. This will be crucial in Puerto Rico.
Speaking of substitutes, Joe Thomasson didn't start in Georgia's lineup, but he's the go-to player if an offensive force is needed from the perimeter. Also noteworthy is the 2004-born guard Giorgi Ochkhikidze, who was trusted once again by the Serbian mastermind.
We still can't predict how many possessions will revolve around Sandro Mamukelashvili's hands in Riga, as the 25-year-old forward did not play today due to stomach issues. However, he seems like the perfect addition to an already dominant frontcourt duo of Goga Bitadze (who had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds tonight) and Toko Shengelia (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists).
Finally, considering that 2003-born guard Davide Casarin played very few minutes tonight, it seems likely that Giordano Bortolani will be the final selection for the 12-man roster at the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Sharpshooters are essential for this playing style.
FIBA