The first time for Sassari playmaker Marco Spissu as Italy captain is the coup on the Iceland parquet 95-71. If Italy does the double on Monday in the return match (in Reggio Emilia) it is mathematically certain of the early qualification to EuroBasket 2025.
Balance at the beginning of the game, then the entrance of the wing Akele is excellent: 12-18 at 9' with the first basket of the debutant Grant Basile. The other debutant, Rossato, also makes himself noticed. The Azzurri fly and close at +15, continue to grind out good play in attack and run away: 13-36 at 15' and even touches +26 for a moment.
Upon returning to the field, Pozzecco is missing due to a migraine, Casalone, also former Dinamo, is in charge. Iceland has a different attitude and plays a lot in transition, getting excited and placing a sensational break of 15-0 in 5' with the Azzurri completely in a tailspin in attack, only +9. Basile takes care of breaking the deadlock with a triple, who later also scores one from eight meters to bring Italy back to +15 at 27'.
The lead continues a bit with a stretch, but the Azzurri still maintain a double-digit lead and sprint in the final minutes: Spissu steals, scores and converts the free throw for a +20 at 38' that feels like an epitaph.
