Pozzecco gets emotional, protects Fontecchio: 'He will be monster in the NBA' / News - Basketnews.com

Italy national team head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and veteran Luigi Datome protected their leader Simone Fontecchio from criticism over two clutch free throws the Utah Jazz newcomer missed to clinch the victory over France.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

For the second time in a row in the EuroBasket knockout stage, the French national team survived after some wink of luck.

Player of the Game EFF 24 Rudy Gobert Points 19 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 14 Assists 2

Simone Fontecchio, the 89% free-throw shooter in EuroBasket, missed both shots from the line and missed the opportunity to clinch the victory with 16 seconds to play at the end of regulation.

Italy was up by 2 (77-75) but failed to establish the lead, and Thomas Heurtel saved France with a layup with 5 seconds to play (77-77). France won in overtime 93-85.

"One time, Banja Prelevic told me something. I was upset after one game when I missed a lot of shots. He asked me how many shots you have missed in your life until now. I said I don't know, maybe 5000. Yes, so? Banja said this is our life," Pozzecco told the story.

"That doesn't count. How you play and how you practice make a difference. The love of the game that he has... He will be in the NBA in one month. And he will be a monster, you will see," Pozzecco said to BasketNews.

"That happened to everybody. I'm suffering because he didn't deserve it. He's a strong, tough man. He will not sleep tonight. But in a few days, you will understand what he did. He was the MVP of the EuroBasket by far," Pozzecco assured.

"Without Simone, we wouldn't be there," Luigi Datome interrupted.

"You see, these are my players," Pozzecco added with pride, impressed with Datome's response. "That's the difference. He loves Simone, and he wants to protect him. I'm proud of him."

The captain was completely right.

Fontecchio scored 21 points and had five rebounds, while his clutch shots helped Italy to build a lead at the end of the regulation.

Fontecchio averaged 19.4 points (2FG: 54.9%; 3FG: 45.1%), four rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steal in this EuroBasket.

Italy / Schedule

Great Britain Italy56-90 Serbia Italy86-94 France Italy93-85

The Utah Jazz forward hasscored 18+ points in six of his seven EuroBasket games. In comparison, only Antonello Riva has had more games with that many points in a single tournament amongst all Italian players (8 games in 1987).

Pozzecco was proud of the entire team. In the 49-year-old coach's eyes, his team played the best basketball in this EuroBasket.

"I'm really proud of my players. You saw the game. Everybody saw the game. Of course, congratulations to France. They never gave up. I love my players. What they did and what they showed in this tournament is something amazing. They fought from the first day. In every f****** practice. To achieve their goals. And everybody has to respect this. Everybody. Everybody," Pozzecco got emotional.

"How they gave 100%, everybody has to give 100%. I'm suffering for them. I'm suffering, really. They deserved to continue to dream. I'm really proud of them. You can't even imagine. We showed the best basketball in EuroBasket," Pozzecco added.

"I watched my players, and I thought, 'Oh my god, there is not much difference between those teams.' I love Fontecchio. Really love. He is an amazing player. Amazing player. Amazing player."

He also had a lot to say about the referees that punished Italy NT with two technical fouls in clutch moments of the regulation and overtime.

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