By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Next to Simone Fontecchio, Gigi Datome, and Nicolò Melli, who all spoke to the Italian media, Gianmarco Pozzecco shared his thoughts before the debut in the 2023 FIBA World Cup against Angola.
“Tomorrow we will be given the opportunity to witness a unique atmosphere, the occasion to live the moment in an almost full arena with 46,000 tickets already sold”, Gianmarco Pozzecco said while speaking on a press conference for the Italian media.
“What we built is a national team loved and respected, and the sporting result won’t take this from us. Every day we add solidity, we’ve shared a tough job, my difficulties, my anxieties”, he continued.
“The consideration of my guys is huge, but it depends on them because they deserve it. I ask for calmness and tranquillity, and if anything bad happens I’m guilty. What do I dream of? Arriving third? We can prepare two ways: the first one is to set the table if a disaster comes, and the second one is to give my players the opportunity to live with faith, believing in this event. I want them to live the enthusiasm dreaming of the final victory”, the Italian national team head coach added while being vividly emotional.
Gianmarco Pozzecco also reflected on his career as head coach, which brought him all the way to debuting on the bench at a FIBA World Cup. “I was lucky enough to win both with the club and with the national team when I was a player. The truth is that winning with the national team is a whole different story. I doubted I could have become that type of head coach: I became who I wanted to become. I only believe in very few concepts”, Poz said.
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