By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – Italy did it again, beating Serbia once more after the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and EuroBasket 2022. With an incredible comeback from a 16-point deficit, the Italian national team won 78-76 to stay alive in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Stopping by in the mixed zone following the victory, Gigi Datome talked about the game. “We always believe in ourselves, today we will play against a stronger team than us. More complete, tougher. At the beginning of the second half they put in an incredible physicality, they deprived us of a lot of offensive rhythm. We kept on believing, we made the right plays. Very good. We still haven’t made it, but we are alive and it’s surely a day to celebrate”, he said.
Gigi Datome finished with 10 straight points but gave the credit to his teammates. “I think of Tonut and Pajola’s sacrifice on Bogdanovic, or Melli who fought on the glass with Milutinov for the whole duration of the game. Everybody gave his contribution. We have game plans and principles in which we believe and in which we want to win or die. When percentages go up, it’s possible to play games like these, but most of all we helped each other a lot on the defensive end. Everybody gave his soul on defense. Good like this”, Italy’s captain added.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2023 FIBA World Cup
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