European Prospects

Day 3 of Italy’s under 19 decided the final rankings for each of the four groups. At the end of the day Montepaschi Siena, Virtus Bologna, Reyer Venezia and Stella Azzurra Roma clinched their spot straight into Friday’s quarterfinals, while Aurora Desio, Virtus Eurobasket Roma, Cus Torino and Basket Rimini Crabs ended their experience in Udine.

Virtus Bologna – Banca Sella Pallacanestro Biella 69 – 51

Virtus Bologna defeated a incomplete version of Banca Sella Biella that played without their starting point guard and guard, but fought hard for all the game.

The main theme of theme of the game was the “Czech duel” between 1995 forwards Adam Pechacek and Prokop Slanina : both put big intensity on the floor until Slanina left the game with an injury and didn’t get back to the court in order to be fit for today’s barrage. Pechacek had 11 points – 8 rebounds – 4 assists (but just 4/12 from the field) in 17 minutes, while Slanina scored 8 points – 5 rebounds – 3 assists (4/5 from the field) in 15 minutes.

1994 point guard Matteo Imbrò scored 12 points and dished out 4 assists in his 20 minutes on the field where he showed his driving abilities along with his tremendous 3 points shot. 1994 forward Aristide Landi had only 11 minutes due to his little ankle injury occurred the day before against Milan and had 9 points + 5 rebounds burying a huge 3 points buzzer beater at the halftime. Bad game for 1995 forward Simone Fontecchio who had just 2 points in 26 minutes.

Mens Sana Basket Montepaschi Siena – Virtus Eurobasket Roma 68 – 60

Montepaschi Siena won against Rome and sent the Romans home. Rome played a very intense game, if they won they could have clinched the first position in the group considered that Casalpusterlengo lost with Moncalieri, despite the absence of their point guard, 1994 Matteo Tambone, who has been called by coach Marco Calvani for Rome’s Playoff game against Cantù.

1994 point guard Alessandro Procacci nailed an important three in the final quarter but he kept struggling with his shot, while his playmaking remained good. The two 1995 Swedish players, forward Johan Lofberg and guard Jacob Johansson, suffered the physical game played by Virtus Roma. The positive notes came from 1994 forward Camillo Bianchi, who scored 13 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 3 assists and stole 3 balls together with his usual tremendous defensive intensity, and 1994 Greek-Brazilian guard Dimitri Sousa who had 11 points.

Reyer Venezia – Comark Blu Orobica Bergamo 58 – 49

Reyer Venezia outscored Bergamo with a break in the third period. Bergamo had a good performance in the second half by 1995 forward Alessandro Spatti who has shown once again that when the game is not too physical his technical skills can make the difference. He had 12 points and 6 rebounds.

For Venice 1994 big man Francesco Candussi missed a lot of easy lay-ups (4/20 overall, he must be tougher!) but scored 12 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in 26 minutes. The other big man Vincenzo Pipitone did a lot of intangible work, being a factor in the area with his size, he had 8 points and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes. 1995 forward Giovanni Vildera showed that his game is becoming the one of a small forward finding a lot of solutions off the dribble and attacking the basket. He also had, like all the players from Venice, difficulties with his shot, in fact he scored 8 points with 4/14 overall but grabbed 12 rebounds. Is a pleasure to notice the improvements made by 1995 forward Nicola Akele who is adding a decent long range shot to his tremendous athletic abilities. He had 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Stella Azzurra Roma – Virtus Siena 63 – 62

In the most intense game seen so far Stella Azzura overcame Virtus Siena in a thrilling final. Siena paid his 3/20 from three point line. 1994 point guard Marco Cucco had 7 points and 4 assists, but 2/13 from the field, 3/6 from free throw line and 5 turnovers, 1994 forward Corrado Bianconi scored 7 points with 3/10 from the field, including the unlucky buzzer beater that could have given the victory to Siena, and grabbed, 7 rebounds. The other 1994 forward Riccardo Rovere had also 7 points, but he has to take more responsibilities in order to be decisive for his team. Good news for Siena came from 1995 forward Andrea Martino a lefty with a sweet hand who nailed 16 points showing a nice mid-range game and grabbed 10 rebounds. 1996 forward Pierfrancesco Oliva had a tremendous impact on the game scoring 12 points (with a huge dunk), grabbing 8 rebounds and blocking 3 shots.

Stella Azzurra’s 1994 point guard Alessandro Grande had just 9 points with 3/15 from the field but grabbed 11 rebounds, served 4 assists and stole 3 balls. 1995 center Valerio Cucci played his usual solid game near the basket with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 1995 forward Amar Alibegovic made some terrific energy plays like 2 consecutive blocks and a terrific put back dunk, he had 9 points and 9 rebounds. 1997 guard Andrea La Torre made a lot of mistakes relying too much on his left hand, but he has shown once again his big potential. The man of the match for Rome was 1994 guard Ennio Leonzio who scored the pair of free throws that gave the victory to Rome. He finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

• Assigeco Casalpusterlengo – PMS Moncalieri S. Mauro 49-56
• Cus Torino – Armani Junior Milano 55-70
• Don Bosco Livorno – Rimini Crabs 61-60
• Scavolini Pesaro – Rimadesio Aurora Desio 69-45

Today is taking place the barrage between the second and third seeded teams of each group. The winners will go to the quarterfinals. From today to final all the games will be played at Pala Fiera.

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