Italian NT members intend to paint their faces in Ukraine's colors vs. Iceland / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Media Credit FIBA Media

"Tomorrow night we will paint our faces in the colors of Ukraine," Italian national team head coach Romeo Sacchetti said at the press conference preceding Italy's game against Iceland for the 2023 Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers.

The contest, to be held at the Paladozza in Bologna, will be the reverse fixture following Iceland's double-overtime win (107-105) last Thursday.

Credit FIBA Media

"We asked the International Federation to allow us to take an initiative of solidarity," explained Gianni Petrucci, president of the Italian Federation.

"This is an international event, and we have not yet received authorization," he went on to say.

Currently standing at 1-2, Italy have to climb up the standings if they want to increase their chances of going through to the next round. That's what Petrucci emphasized at the presser.

"It was a bad defeat on Thursday, but in sport, everything is possible. If we don't win, the path to the World Cup will be uphill," he conceded.

Italy will play in the Bologna for the 38th time. The last match was in 2018 against Poland, for the 2019 World Cup qualifiers, won by the Italian national team. The first match played in Bologna by the Azzurri, however, was a friendly against France on 16 February 1947, which ended with a result of 36-28 for the guests.

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