At the press conference, Gianmarco Pozzecco expressed his impressions after Italy’s victory over Angola at the start of the FIBA World Cup – 81:67.
Angola played a great match against Italy. The favorite in this duel struggled and Italy won in the last quarter. Head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco congratulated the opposing head coach and team after the game:
“I congratulate the opposing coach, his coaching staff and the players. I am not saying this for the sake of order, but from the depths of my soul. They played a great match tactically and with a lot of emotions. Congratulations to all of them. I want to apologize to my players because I was stressed, I didn’t support them, I was negative and I really owe them an apology.
They are amazing, they did what they had to do and celebrated in the end. We didn’t shoot three points very well (5/31). It’s my fault, but I believe in my players, and it was a difficult night for them. In two days there is a new game, and I expect a different edition, primarily from myself.“
Italy is currently the leader in Group A, which, in addition to Angola, consists of the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. In the next round (August 27), Pozzecco’s team will face the Dominican Republic.