Simone Fontecchio after the win against Croatia: 'For us everything starts from defense' / News - Basketnews.com

The Utah Jazz forward was once again the top scorer for Italy. After the game against Croatia, Fontecchio explained the reasons behind the win and the motivation to come back stronger after a poor loss against Ukraine.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

After the defeat against Ukraine, Italy needed to bounce back, not only for saving their chances of qualification to the next round of EuroBasket but also to prove to the Italian fans that this team was still alive after a flat performance.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Nicolo Melli Points 19 Accuracy 8-17 Rebounds 5 Assists 3

And coach Gianmarco Pozzecco's side did just that in defeating Croatia and securing a spot in the round of 16 of EuroBasket. The game was not easy at all, with Croatia coming back stronger in the second half and forcing Italy to another hard-fought ending.

Simone Fontecchio shined once again and was the one who delivered the dagger with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock. The Italian forward finished with 19 points (40% from three-point), 2 rebounds, and 2 steals.

After the game, Fontecchio shared his thoughts about the game with BasketNews.

"Tonight we had a superb reaction after a game like the one we had yesterday in which we had no energy at all", Fontecchio told BasketNews. "So we clearly needed the type of performance that we had tonight with amazing support from our fans. This was exactly what we wanted to do, we proved that we are able to switch gears".

But just like the game against Ukraine, after a good first half, Italy risked wasting everything with a terrible third quarter in which they allowed Croatia to score 25 points and they weren't able to protect the lead built in the first half.

Luckily, though, Italy bounced back in the final quarter. Coach Pozzecco's side scored 26 points and forced Croatia to a lot of contested shots.

Fontecchio explained to BasketNews what changed in that final quarter and what has to be the key for Italy moving forward.

"In the fourth quarter, we found again the intensity and the type of defense that we had played in the first two quarters", Fontecchio told BasketNews. "I said it before and I'll repeat it again: for us, everything starts from the defense. If we're able to find energies from our defense, then we can attack in transition and we can build confidence also for the offense".

"If we were able to maintain this energy all the time, it would be a very good step forward", Fontecchio concluded.

The Italian forward so far is averaging 19.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3 assists, while shooting 38% from three-point at Eurobasket.

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