Italy earned an important victory of their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 marketing campaign, battling previous Bosnia and Herzegovina 96-79 in a sport that highlighted Simone Fontecchio’s offensive brilliance.
The Italian ahead delivered a EuroBasket record-breaking 39 factors, lifting his staff to a 2-1 report after two consecutive wins, whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina dropped to 1-2 with back-to-back defeats.
The primary half was intently contested, however the sport took an surprising twist early within the third quarter when Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco was ejected following a second technical foul.
Slightly than faltering, Italy appeared galvanized. They pulled away within the fourth quarter, constructing a 79-64 lead. Bosnia made one final push, reducing the hole to 82-77, however the Azzurri answered with a decisive 11-0 run to seal the win.
Fontecchio, who struggled in Italy’s opening sport, reminded everybody of his scoring energy. He linked on seven three-pointers on his method to 39 factors, surpassing Andrea Bargnani’s earlier single-game Italian EuroBasket report of 36 factors set in 2011 in opposition to Latvia.
As well as, he contributed 8 rebounds and three assists, proving he was greater than only a scorer. Reflecting on his turnaround, Fontecchio admitted he stayed affected person regardless of early frustrations.
“I actually wasn’t fearful about my efficiency. In fact I wasn’t completely satisfied however I knew it might come sooner or later so I wasn’t actually confused about it. I used to be mad just a little bit however it’s a part of the sport, a part of life. You can not all the time rating 40 factors or 20 factors each sport. I’m not a machine.”
Pozzecco, regardless of being despatched off, later praised his staff’s resilience and Fontecchio’s milestone.
“My gamers by no means quit. They play each possession prefer it’s the final one. We have been right here a pair days in the past and we have been speaking a couple of buddy of mine (factors to Fontecchio) and at present he had a report. I’m not shocked.”
Italy additionally benefited from contributions throughout the roster, with Darius Thompson and Marco Spissu scoring 14 factors apiece and mixing for 9 assists.
For Bosnia, Jusuf Nurkic posted 21 factors and 10 rebounds in a double-double effort, whereas Edin Atic delivered an all-around efficiency with 10 factors, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals.
Statistically, Italy’s taking pictures from deep made the distinction. They linked on 14 of 24 three-pointers, a formidable 58 % accuracy, whereas Bosnia struggled with simply 5 of 21 from past the arc.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, head coach Aziz Bekir attributed the loss to defensive lapses.
“I consider the sport was good. We confirmed good power however we simply made too many errors on protection. These have been an excessive amount of if you wish to win this sport. Italy is a superb staff with nice shooters.”
Nurkic echoed these sentiments, admitting his facet gave Italy too many alternatives.
“To me it was an excellent sport. After final night time and the way we performed, that isn’t who we’re. That isn’t what coach needs from us. On the finish of the day we confirmed a greater mild.
“Sadly we gave them so many open seems that we shouldn’t have. Some errors opened up their three-point pictures, which is how they survive. However they bought the win and we’re nonetheless searching for one other win.”
Italy, now 2-1 within the standings, face reigning champions Spain subsequent in what guarantees to be a difficult encounter. Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the meantime, will attempt to regroup shortly as they put together to face undefeated Greece.
Fontecchio fires in 39 as Azzurri get back-to-back wins! 🇮🇹https://t.co/WfXuZisopR
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 31, 2025
