Italy’s national basketball team delivered a dominant performance against Great Britain in Newcastle on Wednesday, securing a 93-57 victory in a 2027 Basketball World Cup qualifier. The win marks the second consecutive away victory for the Italian squad in the first phase of the qualification tournament, following a November triumph over Lithuania in Klaipeda.
The Azzurri controlled the contest from the opening tip-off, establishing an early lead and maintaining it throughout. Nico Mannion led the Italian scoring with 19 points, complemented by 5 assists and 3 rebounds. Amedeo Della Valle contributed 11 points, while Momo Diouf showcased a strong all-around performance with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a plus-minus of +17 in under 18 minutes of play.
Italy’s strong start saw them jump to a 13-3 lead, fueled by contributions from debutant Giovanni Veronesi and Mannion. The team capitalized on its size advantage, winning the rebound battle 45-25 and holding Great Britain to 36% shooting from the field. Great Britain struggled to find offensive rhythm, with Carl Wheatle being the only player to reach double figures, scoring 15 points.
The Italian offense was balanced, with eleven of the twelve players on the roster contributing to the scoresheet. Coach Luca Banchi utilized the opportunity to give playing time to all available players. The Azzurri’s dominance was reflected in their ability to maintain a significant lead, reaching a margin of +38 during the game.
The victory wasn’t without a wider context within the qualifying group. In a separate match on Wednesday, Iceland defeated Lithuania 86-85, a result that impacts Italy’s standing in Group D. Italy now shares the same record as Iceland but sits in second place due to a head-to-head loss against the Icelandic team earlier in the qualification process.
The two teams will meet again on Monday in Livorno, Italy, for the return match. The game is scheduled for 7:30 PM local time and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and DAZN.
Gabriele Procida has joined the Italian team ahead of the Livorno match, adding further depth to the roster.