Italy out to prove themselves against Serbia in their most important game yet
FOSHAN (China) - Coach Meo Sacchetti's team have been brilliant in their first two games at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, but their biggest test is yet to come as they face title favorites Serbia o
FOSHAN (China) - Coach Romeo Sacchetti's team have been brilliant in their first two games at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019, but their biggest test is yet to come as they face title favorites Serbia on Wednesday.
"We have achieved the minimum goal thanks to these two victories," Sacchetti said after Italy's lopsided win over Angola. "We arrived here having some problems between injuries and others, but so far we have done our job. Starting tomorrow, we think of Serbia."
The Serbians, of course, have been on everyone's mind here in China. They've entered the tournament as the top team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Power Rankings and have beaten Angola and Philippines by an average of 52.5 points. There is no doubt that Serbia have been keeping Sacchetti up at night, and the 66-year-old coach knows his team will know their true worth when they face their European rivals.
"Now we have to prepare ourselves for our most important game and see what we are made of," he said.
Sacchetti will have some talent to match Serbia's, though. Much like the Serbians, the Azzurri have stood tall in Foshan, beating both the Filipinos and Angolans via big blowouts, too. Much of their early success can be attributed to the play of bona fide NBA stars Danilo Gallinari and Marco Belinelli, who became the all-time fifth-best scorer for Italy's national team after sinking 17 points in their win over Angola.
"To be honest, I would have preferred to win something big first with the national team, but this achievement also fills me with joy," Belinelli said after finding out he broke into Italy's top five all-time scorers. "I always try to be aggressive, and when I go out into the field, I bring love for this sport and the desire to win."
Speaking about Serbia, however, the 6ft 5in (1.96m) San Antonio Spurs shooting guard is expecting a much tougher outing. Italy faced Serbia twice in their preparation games, and they lost both times. Belinelli knows it will be their biggest challenge yet.
"The match with Serbia is what everyone is waiting for," Belinelli said. "They are the strongest team, but of course, we are not afraid of them."
"NOW WE HAVE TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR OUR MOST IMPORTANT GAME AND SEE WHAT WE ARE MADE OF."
As for Gallinari, the 31-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder forward is just happy that he is healthy enough to play in his first World Cup, where he is certainly hoping to help Italy achieve something significant, more so in their next game against Serbia.
"I have recovered well from injuries, so I am ready for these rotations and more minutes in our next game," Gallo said. "It is clear that we are not 100% yet, but we're getting used to the pace and the grind a little. We'll be ready against Serbia."
FIBA