The first step of theItalia towards Paris 2024 is a competitive training. Too much difference in any field between the Azzurri and the Bahrain (114-53 the final score) that, excluding a few 3-point shots, never puts Pozzecco’s team in difficulty. The result is a one-sided challenge, with a double-digit advantage already reached in the first quarter, +20 in the second, and then controlling without any problem until the final siren. Melli and Gallinari are immediately the leaders, in a match where everyone manages to give something, with a special note for Abass and Tonut. Showing a good and promising defensive team attitude.
Italy-Bahrain | Match report
The difference between the two teams is immediately visible, with the Asians not going beyond two points in five minutes, while Honey he immediately makes himself heard near the basket, before the triple of Abass for the first double-digit advantage (16-4 at 8′). The first mortgage to success comes with the 8-0 to open the second period, when it becomes the protagonist Gallinaripushing the Azzurri up to +18 (27-9 at 13′). The difference on the parquet is very notable and Italy takes its hands off the handlebars a bit, with some errors especially by Ricci, allowing the opponents a small partial, to get back to -11, with Pozzecco calling a timeout.
The coach brings the team back on track and the exit from the suspension is a 5-0, which then expands in the following minutes, allowing the Azzurri to update the maximum advantage to +20 (41-21 at 18′), with yet another basket from the captain, while the defense presses and ‘suffocates’ Bahrain. Five points in a row by Tongue allow Italy to double their opponents at 46-23 before the long break, and then give the final push to the match at the start of the second half, when Polonara and Spissu sign the +30 Azzurri. There is room for everyone in the final quarter, waiting for slightly more challenging tests. Like the one on Thursday night against the hosts of Puerto Rico.
Click here for the scorecard of the match
