At the WiZink Center in Madrid it ends 84-87: excellent performances from Gallinari and Tonut. The match against Bahrain is on 2 July
Italy’s preparation for the Olympic qualifying tournament, which will decide their eventual participation in Paris 2024, ends with a victory. The Azzurri prevail in the friendly match away to Spain, the reigning European champions, at the end of a match balanced and played with high intensity in the final, sent to extra time by a miracle from Llull. In overtime, the Azzurri managed to get the upper hand by snatching a prestigious success: Pozzecco found good indications from the defense and from his players’ attitude, with excellent performances from Gallinari and Tonut. At the WiZink Center in Madrid it ends 84-87: now it’s time to leave for Puerto Rico, where the Azzurri will face Bahrain on July 2nd at 10.30pm.
good defense
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Excellent start for the Azzurri, who kept the pace high in attack by building excellent shots: Melli immediately took center stage with two triples and a great block on Willy Hernangomez. The defense performed perfectly and held Spain to just one point in the first 5 minutes, then Scariolo’s men entered the game with the impact of Juancho Hernangomez, reducing the score to -4. The second quarter sees extensive rotations by the coaches, and the game remains in balance thanks to the terrible percentages of the two teams (12-31 from the field for Spain, 12-33 for Italy in the first half). For the Iberians, Brizuela’s impact from the bench was good, while Italy responded with Gallinari and Petrucelli. In the defensive half of the pitch, Pozzecco’s men forced their opponents into 6 turnovers, but the attack lost pace and fluidity: the reigning European champions ended the first half leading 33-28.
comeback
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The hosts try to raise the intensity coming out of the locker room, but Italy stays in touch with two triples from Spissu and one from Petrucelli. Abrines is a decision from the corner, Willy Hernangomez makes all his physicality count, and Scariolo’s team goes up to +9: Mannion and Polonara take care of mending the gap, with Varese’s playmaker elusive in penetration. In the final minutes the defensive intensity of both teams increases, with Pajola author of two great steals, and Italy manages to grab the equalizer thanks to three consecutive triples from Gallinari, Tonut and Spissu with one minute left. After the timeout, the Azzurri construct another shot from the corner for Tonut who scores again to sign the +3, but a magic from Llull puts everything back in balance, sending the game into overtime.
overtime
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The extra time starts in the right way for Pozzecco’s team, which finds a 5-point advantage with Gallinari and Spissu. Italy manages to maintain the lead despite two triples from Aldama, but a bloody turnover allows Spain to build the potential winning shot: Hernangomez’s jumper, however, goes long on the rim and Gallinari goes +3 with the free throws. It seems over, but the Iberians have the last chance with Brizuela who misses the triple from the corner. Important success for the Azzurri, as well as an injection of confidence for the appointment at the Pre-Olympic.
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2024-06-25 22:55:23
#Basketball #Italy #beats #Spain #overtime #waiting #PreOlympic
