Italy has seen its EuroBasket 2025 qualification campaign conclude with their final match against Hungary, played at PalaCalafiore, Reggio Calabria. Despite already securing the top spot in Group B, the match took on extra significance for both teams as Hungary sought to keep their slim hopes for qualification alive.
The showdown took place on February 23rd at 20:30 local time, with the arena filled to capacity—7,000 enthusiastic spectators witnessed the clash. Italy, coming off a notable victory against Turkey, showcased their roster, which included debut players Saliou Niang and Sasha Grant, who replaced Riccardo Rossato. Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco maintained Alessandro Pajola as captain, who aimed to build on his recent success of scoring 12 points against Turkey.
Hungary, under the guidance of Slovene coach Gašper Okorn, entered the match needing victory and hoping for help from Turkey to beat Iceland, adding to the stakes. The Hungarian roster boasted several players familiar to the Italian leagues, such as David Vojvoda and Zoltan Perl, setting the stage for what many considered to be another exciting chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the two nations.
Though Italy had little to prove after winning four out of five qualifying games, the team’s performance showcased their talent, culminating with 17 points from Nicola Akele and 14 from Matteo Spagnolo. The early phases of the game displayed Italy's strong desire, as they established control mid-way through the second quarter with significant contributions from Spagnolo and Akele.
Despite this momentum, Hungary demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with impressive plays, led by Perl, who had 20 points, and Vojvoda with 16. Hungary was tactically sharp, utilizing their experience to maintain pressure on Italy throughout the match.
Despite Italy's well-fought efforts and flashes of brilliance, they seemed to falter during the final minutes, allowing Hungary to seize opportunities. The match concluded with Hungary edging Italy 71-67, albeit this victory did not secure their passage to EuroBasket 2025 due to Iceland's victory over Turkey.
The statistics paint the backdrop of the competitive nature of this encounter—Italy led at various points, including halftime with 32-27. Fan enthusiasm surged as the players pressed hard for victory, but Hungary's spirited comeback left Italy with mixed feelings about their last performance of this qualification phase.
Throughout their matches against Hungary, Italy navigated through about 33 historical confrontations, holding their head high with 21 wins, demonstrating their consistent competitiveness on the court over decades.
Following this match, attention turns now to the EuroBasket 2025 tournament, where teams will be competing for top honors, and recent performances will shape expectations.
The outcome highlights the unpredictability of basketball—a game often defined by moments of brilliance and collective teamwork. While both teams will look to learn and adapt from this experience, for the Italians, the focus will shift to preparation for the upcoming EuroBasket challenges, with the ultimate goal of securing European basketball supremacy.
EuroBasket 2025 promises thrilling matches, with more teams expected to qualify and many memories yet to be written on the hardwood.