By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
RAVENNA, Italy – The fifth friendly game victory in a row came for the Italian national team in Ravenna, crushing Puerto Rico 98-65. Most importantly, this game was the occasion to say goodbye to Gigi Datome, who played his last basketball encounter in Italy and will retire after the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Following his team’s victory, to which he contributed with 5 points, he spoke to the press, recalling the emotion of the night.
“There was a moment of emotion during the anthem. I realize that there are many things that I live for the last time. The last national anthem in Italy, the last game in Italy. If I stop to think, it is a significant thing. It was a great party and the guys helped me with a great attitude that helped us win well. Now luckily I can go back to basketball and I will try to help as much as possible the team”, Italy’s captain said.
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In Manila, Italy will face Angola, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic. “We do have a clear identity, we do have hierarchies and we know who the key players are. Our first goal is to qualify in our group and raise our level in the competition. I think we did well in what we had to do to prepare for the practices and games and I think everybody saw that”, Gigi Datome said about the team’s ambition.
Italy can count both on experienced players and on a young core with the likes of Matteo Spagnolo, Gabriele Procida, and Alessandro Pajola among others. “I like what I see from our young players: they have the right attitude, they work hard, they are serious and respectful but of course, they can’t wait to get more minutes and responsibilities in the National Team. The future is theirs”, the former Olimpia Milan player stated about them.
Watching back on his basketball trajectory with the Italian national team, Gigi Datome took out some life-long memories. “I hope to be changed for the better. Many kilometers, even on the field. So much fun, it was a beautiful and crazy journey. I had a lot of fun and I got a lot of satisfaction. Everything I am now I owe to basketball. I have to thank all those who helped me, but especially our sport: it is thanks to basketball that I am the person I am today”, he added.
“When years ago I thought about how to finish, I would have liked to do it with the national team. I’m glad I ended up with Olimpia because I played at the highest level there too. I realize that I am very lucky, I also have merits because there is so much work behind me, commitment, and seriousness. But I realize I have something rare. I enjoy everything, I am really grateful to the Federation, to the group, to the Poz, to my teammates: I don’t know how it will go, but living this summer with this group is beautiful. Ending the career with good memory is the best thing, I hope we will be fine but still, it’s a beautiful summer”, Gigi Datome said about the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The 35-year-old forward, who will retire from basketball, is hopeful for the team’s near future. “I try to do the best for myself and for this group, which is special. I do not know if this year, but for the future I am confident: after so many years I feel that it is a special group and I hope that these guys will carve out a great emotion that I have never lived. I hope it happens this summer, but they still deserve it”, he finally stated leaving the door open for Italian successes.
PHOTO CREDIT: Italbasket
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