Furious Pozzecco: 'Do we realize that Giannis might not play in the World Cup?' / News - Basketnews.com

Gianmarco Pozzecco went on a lengthy monologue bashing the system that the FIBA and EuroLeague conflict has created.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Gianmarco Pozzecco's Italy lost against Spain in the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers yesterday. After congratulating the opponent team on the victory and pointing out key mistakes, the extravagant coach turned to another topic.

Italy / Schedule

Italy Spain84-88 Georgia ItalyMon15:00

In the Italian portion of the post-game press conference, Pozzecco offered to pay attention to Group I of the Second Round where Serbia, Greece, and Turkey battle for the two remaining tickets to the World Cup next year.

"Do we realize that maybe [Giannis] Antetokounmpo doesn't play in the World Cup? I want to see [Nikola] Jokic and Antetokounmpo at the World Cup. Greece lost by 20 points tonight and Antetokoumpo was out. With these rules, it is not obvious that we'll have the stars there," the coach told.

"I fail to understand how anyone can conceive such extravagant rules," he continued. "I can't understand why everyone doesn't get it. Then there are the injured, and in my day, the great stars, even if they missed some time, but you made the squads and called whoever you wanted. Instead, now I can't call whoever I want, because the EuroLeague matches take place at the same time as those of the national team."

Earlier today, a scuffle between the Hellenic Basketball Federation and Panathinaikos Athens emerged about releasing Georgios Papagiannis to play in the national team with the club's owner and communications officer blaming the basketball organization for omitting Olympiacos Piraeus' refusal to let Kostas Sloukas participate for the country's squad.

Next, the Italian coach shared similar views to those of Zeljko Obradovic, who has recently expressed that the players are the ones that ultimately pay the price.

"The players also have to make some painful choices. This situation seems crazy to me. I haven't won anything in my career and I'm respected and recognized more than I actually deserve," Pozzecco said. "I'm sorry because the guys didn't do something stratospheric."

"It would have been nice for them, but what I can't stand is not giving the boys the opportunity to experience the national team and the club play in a serene way," the coach continued. "If we don't go to the World Cup, they are the ones who will be the saddest. How do you ask players to decide whether to play in the EuroLeague or in the national team in their own window? It's like asking to choose between punching your mother and your father."

Following the words, Pozzecco stood up and left the conference room.

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