Italy overcame the early ejection of head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and a dominant performance from Simone Fontecchio to defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina 96-79 on Sunday, bolstering their position in the european Championship.The victory was fueled by Fontecchio’s record-breaking scoring output, marking a pivotal moment for the Italian team as they navigate a competitive tournament bracket.
The game unfolded with immediate drama as Pozzecco received two technical fouls – the first for stepping onto the court during play, and the second in response to a disagreement with officials – leading to his dismissal early in the third quarter. Despite the setback, Italy didn’t falter, instead finding a new catalyst in Fontecchio, who seized control of the game. This win, coupled with the team’s resilience following their opening loss to Greece, substantially impacts their chances of advancing to the eighth-final stage.
Fontecchio, a forward for the Miami Heat, exploded for 39 points, shattering the previous Italian team record of 36 points in a European Championship game, held since 2011 by Andrea Bargnani. He achieved this feat with remarkable efficiency, converting 7 of 10 three-point attempts and adding 8 rebounds, resulting in a game-high utility score of 41. His performance was a stark contrast to his initial outing against Greece, where he managed onyl 12 points on 1 of 11 shooting.
The final score reflected Italy’s control throughout the second half, with quarter scores of 22-21, 22-19, 28-21, and 24-18. The win places Italy in a tie with Spain for 2nd and 3rd place in the group standings.
Bosnia and Herzegovina were led by Jusuf Nurkic, who scored 21 points and collected 10 rebounds, followed by John Roberson with 13 points and Amar Gegic with 12. Bosnia and Herzegovina will next face group-leading Greece,while Italy will play their final group stage game against Sacramento,a match that coudl determine their advancement to the knockout rounds.
Italy: Simone Fontecchio 39, Darius Thompson and Marco Spissu 14 each.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Jusuf Nurkic 21, John Roberson 13, Amar Gegic 12.
