Head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and the Italians are now in an unbelievable position after posting a string of victories in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The animated mentor admitted that doubts were raised over their title chances.
But the Italians proved their doubters wrong by barging into the World Cup knockout quarterfinal for the first time in 25 years.
Italy displayed brilliance and great resolve to turn a tight second round battle against Puerto Rico in the first two quarters into a convincing 73-57 victory on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“From the first day I told my players to start to dream. Then we can achieve the best. And they did it,” Pozzecco said.
It is the Italians’ first quarterfinals appearance since the 1998 edition of the tournament when Pozzecco was still their starting point guard.
Italy completed a sweep of the second round, taking down favored Serbia before conquering Puerto Rico to set up a quarterfinal collision course with another powerhouse United States today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think we deserved the win. We played very good basketball, against a very good team, very dangerous team but I think we deserved the win so congrats to my teammates,” team captain Luigi Datome said as he celebrated his 200th cap with the Italian national squad with an
all-important victory.
The Italians had a shaky first round as they needed to rally to get past Angola before dropping their game against the Karl-Anthony Towns-led Dominican Republic. Italy then had to beat a gritty host team Gilas Pilipinas to secure a spot in the second round.
Pozzecco, with all his achievements back when he was still playing with the Italian national squad, still regarded what the current team achieved as “something more” than what their predecessors did.
“There is no comparison between 1998 and now. It was totally different. I have so much respect for all my teammates who played for me or I played with them. And a coach, Bogdan Tanjevic, who is one of the best people I have ever met. But there is nothing to compare,” Pozzecco said.
