Pozzecco explains why he cut Della Valle, weighs in on Fontecchio's step-up / News - Basketnews.com

Italy NT coach Gianmarco Pozzecco offered some insights into his latest decisions regarding the roster, the role of Amedeo Della Valle and Simone Fontecchio's great summer.

Credit: FIBA/Scanpix Credit FIBA/Scanpix

As Italy prepare to host Georgia in Brescia, head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco held a press conference to announce the last cut from the roster and explain his reasoning behind leaving Amedeo Della Valle and John Petruccelli off the squad for the upcoming EuroBasket.

Italy / Schedule

Ukraine Italy89-97 Italy GeorgiaSat18:30

Pozzecco decided to cut Reyer Venezia center Amedeo Tessitori and continue with a 12-player roster.

"The first thing I have to say is that I am sorry, for the type of relationship I had with the player, but I had to do it to get to the 12 men that we have to bring to EuroBasket. Amedeo is an extraordinary guy, I got to know him well in Pinzolo. They had spoken badly of him, but I can say that he is a player of great level," the Italian coach said.

Since the presser was held in Brescia, the team where Amedeo Della Valle will be playing for the second straight season, Pozzecco took a questions regarding the reasons why the former Armani Milan guard was left out of the team.

Pozzecco said cutting last year's Italian league MVP wasn't due to his lack of shape, or defensive prowess, but rather to the fact that Della Valle needs to have the leading role, something that the team can't guarantee him.

"Actually I cut two players from Brescia," the 49-year-old tactician smiled.

"So I start with Petrucelli: due to the player's characteristics it was not an easy choice. Amedeo was giving us great availability, I really appreciated this fact. There are players who have less quality than others, there are players who need to feel important and I think he needs a team that puts him in the best conditions to play his type of basketball", Pozzecco pointed out and further added:

"There was no time for us. Him being cut is linked to his way of playing, which becomes decisive when he is not a supporting actor. I preferred to give that role to others."

Amedeo Della Valle

Position:SGAge:29Height:194 cmWeight:88 kgBirth place:ItalyProfileNewsStatistics

During Italy's prep games ahead of the EuroBasket, Simone Fontecchio has managed to emerge and put up some great performances. Against Ukraine, the 26-year-old forward, fresh off his signing with the Utah Jazz, scored 20 points and became Italy's main guy on offense.

"If I said I'm not surprised I'd be lying," Pozzecco admitted.

"I had predicted his move to the NBA within two years. His agent can confirm it. I must admit that he is playing unreal basketball. My goal is for the players to be able to express themselves the best way possible.

I like the idea that you can help players lead the team to victory. Team comes first, but if a player goes out on the court and he sucks, then the coach has double responsibility," Pozzecco argued.

The game against Georgia will be Italy' last before the EuroBasket. However, the Azzurri will host one of the groups in the tournament that starts on September 2 (against Estonia). Pozzecco says there's not so muchenthusiasm about team, "but not so much from the fans as from the press. We come from a generation which didn't go all the way.

In order for the national team to win, luck is also required and that's something Italy has lacked in recent years," he continued.

"Maybe in Brescia, I will be booed because I cut two of Germani's players, but jokes aside, I'm sure there will be great support," he clarified.

Asked about the importance of the win over Ukraine in the last game, Pozzecco said there's a notion that "it can only be rewarding to beat France or the USA."

"But winning against Ukraine has enormous value. These guys sacrifice themselves every day, you can't know it because you don't see the workouts.

My wife judges sport in a lighthearted and banal way, so she wondered how it's possible that a group of boys lose a well-deserved summer of rest to stay in Pinzolo, Brescia or listen to an idiot like me," Pozzecco joked with a touch of self-deprecation.

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