Italian football great Del Piero lends his support to national team's cause at Turin OQT

TURIN (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - When it comes to accomplished, respected and revered Italian sportsmen, former footballer Alessandro Del Piero ranks at the top.

The former Juventus and Italian national team striker has done it all. He won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Gli Azzurri and, in his 19 seasons with the famed Turin-based club, helped Juve claim 6 Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, 4 Supercoppa Italiana titles, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

Del Piero was courtside to take in Tuesday's thriller between Italy and Croatia at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin.

He talked to FIBA.com at halftime.

FIBA.com: What are your thoughts on this game?
Del Piero: It's a good game. I think Croatia are playing a little bit better than Italy. Italy can play a little bit better than they're playing now. I think we will have an even better second half, emotionally and scoring-wise.

FIBA.com: Do you follow the national team much? 
Del Piero: I know a lot of the guys that play here in the Italian team. I'm still in love with basketball because it's so good, especially where I live now in Los Angeles where there is a great atmosphere. Also in Italy we can have an amazing atmosphere as we have here in Turin. The games here are sold out. It's amazing.

FIBA.com: Did you use to play basketball when you were younger?
Del Piero: Yes I loved to play (pause) then I didn't grow too much (laughs). I had to choose. By the way I didn't choose bad. My choice was good.

FIBA.com: Have you been able to talk to the team here? Do you know some of the players?
Del Piero: They arrived in Turin three days ago and I met them all in the hotel and wished them good luck for this tourmament. I know most of them from having met them before - (Luigi) Datome, (Danilo) Gallinari, (Andrea) Bargnani and (Marco) Belinelli are all guys that also play in the NBA.

FIBA.com: Italy haven't played in the basketball competition at the Olympics since 2004, when they came away with a silver medal. Do you think they can qualify for Rio and go on a similar run as 12 years ago?
Del Piero: It would be perfect. Fingers crossed.

FIBA