One man in charge: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time NBA mvp is dominant in Greece's victory over Italy (85-81), a feast for the eyes of fans.
But Italy is doing well with a ferocious comeback from -15 in the last period, touching the draw with a triple from Fontecchio.
The new player from Utah is confirmed as the Italian offensive leader with 26 points, despite the special attention of the Hellenic defense.
The Forum has long been sold out to admire Giannis, the parterre is royal: the legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich sits next to his former assistant Ettore Messina, Luis Scola is next to Marco Belinelli, Kyle Hines converses with Dino Meneghin and Sandro Gamba , whose short film about his life will be screened tomorrow in Milan.
All impressed by Giannis,
unstoppable by anyone and impossible to attack without getting a contested shot or a block with those interminable arms: Melli tries hard and immediately remedies a breakthrough with applause;
the collective tries with floated defenses and systematic doubling.
ANSA.it
European basketball championships: Italy-Greece 81-85 - Sport
Antetokounmpo dominates but Fontecchio is confirmed, first blue knockout (ANSA)
But Giannis is also towering beyond the mere statistic, already impressive in itself: 25 points and 11 rebounds.
A true extraterrestrial.
Italy is powerless in the face of this perfect-looking sculpture of the Vitruvian man.
When he is on the pitch there is little history: the presence of him on both sides is too impactful and so Greece stretches.
When instead he sits on the bench - and Dorsey (23) becomes the main offensive option - the Azzurri return to the game (despite a modest 34% from the field in the first half) and remain in the wake, proving to be there, to believe in it and to be at a good level, almost at the level of one of the favorites for a medal.
"We tasted what it's like to face a podium team - Datome's analysis - and we were there."
Pozzecco's team remains under for all 40 'but convinces for the continuous reactions to the shoulders signed by Giannis.
At -12 (25-37) he places a 7-0 that warms the audience.
At -14 (45-59) Fontecchio scores two consecutive triples, the first of his race after 6 errors, followed by Polonara (14 + 10) for a new -5.
On -15 (60-75) he returns to -4 with 8 points in a row first from Tonut (13) and then from Fontecchio.
It is a vain effort because a clear defeat arrives but it is a good sign for Poz: against Ukraine (Monday) and Croatia (Tuesday) Italy will play for the placement in the group but the spirit is at least comforting.
The other good news is that there is only one Giannis in the world and Italy has already dealt with it
At -12 (25-37) he places a 7-0 that warms the audience.
At -14 (45-59) Fontecchio scores two consecutive triples, the first of his race after 6 errors, followed by Polonara (14 + 10) for a new -5.
On -15 (60-75) he returns to -4 with 8 points in a row first from Tonut (13) and then from Fontecchio.
It is a vain effort because a clear defeat arrives but it is a good sign for Poz: against Ukraine (Monday) and Croatia (Tuesday) Italy will play for the placement in the group but the spirit is at least comforting.
The other good news is that there is only one Giannis in the world and Italy has already dealt with it
At -12 (25-37) he places a 7-0 that warms the audience.
At -14 (45-59) Fontecchio scores two consecutive triples, the first of his race after 6 errors, followed by Polonara (14 + 10) for a new -5.
On -15 (60-75) he returns to -4 with 8 points in a row first from Tonut (13) and then from Fontecchio.
It is a vain effort because a clear defeat arrives but it is a good sign for Poz: against Ukraine (Monday) and Croatia (Tuesday) Italy will play for the placement in the group but the spirit is at least comforting.
The other good news is that there is only one Giannis in the world and Italy has already dealt with it
a vain effort because a clear defeat arrives but it is a good sign for Poz: against Ukraine (Monday) and Croatia (Tuesday) Italy will play for the placement in the group but the spirit is at least comforting.
The other good news is that there is only one Giannis in the world and Italy has already dealt with it
a vain effort because a clear defeat arrives but it is a good sign for Poz: against Ukraine (Monday) and Croatia (Tuesday) Italy will play for the placement in the group but the spirit is at least comforting.
The other good news is that there is only one Giannis in the world and Italy has already dealt with it
