European Prospects

The Italian Under 19 finals are taking place in Udine since yesterday (Mon, 27th) to Sunday (Sun, June 2nd). Giovanni Battista Gerometta is one of the observers of the event and he will provide us with daily reports on the Finals. Due to the fact the games are played on two different courts in this report you will find a bit of chronicle and some data about the prospects who played on the main court.

Assigeco Casalpusterlengo – Montepaschi Siena 57-69

In the first game of group A Montepaschi Siena defeated Casalpusterlengo by 12 after trailing by 3 at the half. Siena had a big game by its two 1995 Swedish players : the forward Johan Lofberg and the guard Jacob Johansson. Lofberg shown his nice mid-range game and Johansson, even if he played just the last quarter because he’s still recovering from his injure, buried 14 points those have been crucial for Siena’s victory. Siena had good things from the 1995 guard Alessandro Cappelletti, who nailed 11 points showing nice 1vs1 skills, the 1994 point guard Alessandro Procacci, who struggled with his 3 points shot but kept the rhythm of Siena’s offense in his hands, and from 1994 forward Camillo Bianchi, who scored 9 points and put a huge defensive pressure. The 1995 center Leonardo Marini grabbed 15 rebounds in 22 minutes.

On the other side the main expectations were all on the 1995 Georgian born forward Giga Janelidze who already got into the foul trouble, along with his mate 1996 forward Daniel Donzelli, at the half of second quarter with 3. Janelidze struggled for the remaining of the game, relying too much on his long distance shot. The 16 points of 1996 guard Riccardo Rossato, together with the 17 of 1995 point guard Luca Vencato, haven’t been enough for Casalpusterlengo to overcome Siena.

Virtus Roma – PMS Moncalieri 54-50

Virtus Roma won past Moncalieri in a thriling final. 1994 point guard Matteo Tambone, who played few minutes in Italian Serie A with Rome this season, led Virtus to get its W, but he seemed too shy to be a point guard, he needs to talk more and add some charisma to step up. For Moncalieri 1995 guard Lorenzo Baldasso struggled with his long range shooting (0/8 from deep) but shown that he improved his passing skills. DNP for 1996 forward Matteo Trovato.

Virtus Bologna – Cus Torino 86-53

A very easy game for the “Vu nere” so the analysis of prospects like Matteo Imbrò, Adam Pechacek, Aristide Landi and Simone Fontecchio (all of them played and scored about 10-15 points each) is delayed to a tougher game.
Cus Torino gave minutes to the 1997 forward Roberto Vercellino who had no fear against older opponents and shown excellent athletic and physical skills.

Pall Biella – Olimpia Milano 51 – 45

In the last game of the day Biella won over Milan in a match dominated by a huge defensive intensity from both teams. Biella had a good game from the 1995 Czech forward Prokop Slanina who had a big impact in the paint grabbing rebounds and dishing passes from the low post. 1994 forward Niccolò De Vico put lot of energy on the floor but missed too many shots.

Milano’s point guards 1994’s Lorenzo Bartoli and Andrea Amato had both problems with their shot and failed the ones those could have brought Milan back in the game.

On the other court :

• Nesti&Nelli Livorno – Comark Bergamo 76-81
• Umana Reyer Venezia Mestre– Basket Rimini Crabs 77-45
• Stella Azzurra – Scavolini Pesaro 50-39
• Virtus Siena – Rimadesio Aurora Desio 75-59

Giovanni Battista Gerometta is a 23 year old Italian coach and former player. He is currently working as assistant coach and responsible of opponents’ scouting at Graphistudio Vis Spilimbergo in Italian DNB (4th national league). He is also head coach of Spilimbergo’s under 14 team. You can contact him at : gbgerometta@gmail.com