By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Meo Sacchetti announced after the conclusion of the Verona Cup that Andrea Cinciarini, Riccardo Moraschini and Michele Vitali were cut from his preliminary squad ahead of the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Injured Nicolo Melli is doubtful for China, Danilo Gallinari and Luigi Datome are also out and will both miss the upcoming Acropolis International Tournament.
The good news for the Italian national team is that Awudu Abass, Pietro Aradori, Marco Belinelli, Paul Biligha, Jeff Brooks, Amedeo Della Valle, Ariel Filloy, Alessandro Gentile, Daniel Hackett, Giampaolo Ricci, Brian Sacchetti, Amedeo Tessitori and Luca Vitali remain healthy and available for the upcoming friendly matches.
The Italians will resume practices on Tuesday August 13th and following a scrimmage against Venezuela on August 14th will travel to Athens on August 15th for the Acropolis International Tournament. They will face Greece on August 16th, Serbia on August 17th and Turkey on August 18th before setting off for China on August 19th.
The Azzurri are set to battle the Philippines on August 31st, Angola on September 2nd and Serbia on September 4th at Foshan in Group D action. First or second place will lead them to Group J, third or fourth to classification games.
Photo Credit: FIBA