Italy's men's basketball team experienced their first loss of the Eurobasket 2025 qualifying campaign against Hungary, falling 71-67 at the PalaCalafiore in Reggio Calabria on February 23, 2025. Despite this defeat, Italy had already secured their spot for the upcoming European championship, boasting a strong record of four wins and two losses. The team, under head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, displayed moments of resilience, particularly through standout performances by Akele, who scored 17 points, and Spagnolo with 14 points.
The match was pivotal for Hungary, featured at a packed PalaCalafiore where the home crowd was energized. Early on, the match had the tension of high stakes, especially for the Hungarian team, who were battling for their chance to qualify for the Eurobasket. "We knew we had to win this game to have any hope of going to the Euros," said Hungary's Perl, who finished with 20 points and played exceptionally well throughout the contest.
From the get-go, Hungary established their will, showcasing effective defense, which limited Italy to only 10 points throughout the first quarter. The Italians were unable to surpass Hungary's defensive intensity, trailing 10-13 at the end of the first quarter. Even when Spagnolo scored back-to-back baskets to give Italy brief momentum, Hungary countered with powerful three-point shots, ending the first half with Hungary leading 32-27.
Italian fans filled the venue with enthusiasm, hopeful for their team's comeback. The players, driven by the support, adjusted their strategies, particularly showing improvements on defense. Italy surged to take the lead by ten points as Akele spearheaded the charge with aggressive plays.
Yet the final quarter saw Hungary reclaiming the edge. Hungary’s outstanding play culminated in a remarkable run, scoring 22 points to Italy's mere 12, forcing head coach Pozzecco to call for timeouts as Hungary surged forward with momentum. Despite Italy's attempts to close the gap, aided by late offensive plays and some clutch free throws, they couldn't quite overcome the deficit. Hungarian player Vojvoda sealed the match from the free-throw line, securing the win 71-67.
After the match, Akele commented on the experience, stating, "The match was intense, and we fought hard, but we need to learn from this for Eurobasket." While the loss would sting, the team's accomplishments throughout their qualifying run could still be celebrated, as they approach the Eurobasket with experience and grit.
The tournament will take place from August 27 to September 14, 2025, and Italy looks to make its mark on the European stage. Meanwhile, Hungary, after this loss, has failed to qualify due to concurrent results, particularly Iceland's victory over Turkey, which finalized their disappointing fate.