Thread by @Around__Tom

🏀 Second act, better result. Italy wins the game against Georgia without risking much. Two halves, two faces for Italy; in the first it was the same superficial 🇮🇹 seen against 🇬🇷, in the second, instead, it shined. Let's deep dive! 🧵

#EuroBasket2025

After the beautiful game vs 🇪🇸, Toko seemed kinda off and went 0/8 FG. Mamu played a good first half but ran into foul trouble. Bitadze was 🇬🇪's best player and him and Baldwin were able to complete the comeback in the 2Q. However, like Toko, Goga looked nervous on the court.

And without him and Baldwin’s sparks, the lack of shooting behind the arc, Italy’s fast breaks and fast-paced offense made 🇬🇪 struggle, especially with fouls. In the 3Q, basically 🇮🇹 11-0 run leaded by Melli, Fontecchio and Thompson closed the game.

This has been the game of the unwanted. Thompson (+22 +/-), Spissu, and Ricci (two important 3s) led Italy’s offense after a difficult first half. Another monumental game for Nick Melli (8+8 with 4 OREB), still the only truly essential player on this team.

The athleticism and energy brought by Diouf (13 PTS and 5 REB) and Niang (15 PTS in 17 MIN, 2/3 3PT) were the real keystone of this game. Diouf still needs to improve his shooting a bit. Italy never had this kind of player in its roster before, they're a breath of fresh air.

And finally, Simone Fontecchio showed what he's able to do. 14 PTS on 4/5 from 2PT and 6/6 FT, a bunch of good drives. Still missing one of his most lethal weapons, the 3PT shot (0/5 tonight), and he's still inefficient when creating off the dribble (6 TO).

Tomorrow, Italy will be back on court to face Jusuf Nurkic's Bosnia 🇧🇦, who easily won against Cyprus 🇨🇾 yesterday and tonight will fight against Spain 🇪🇸, a must-win game for Spain to avoid falling to 0W-2L in Group C.
Forza Azzurri ❤️🇮🇹

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