Gianmarco Pozzecco gives emotional speech, explains what he told Steve Kerr / News - Basketnews.com

Gianmarco Pozzecco was proud of his team and emphasized that Italy didn't deserve to meet the USA after winning a group stage.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

After Italy's defeat to the USA in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals 63-100, Gianmarco Pozzecco held another remarkable press conference.

Player of the Game EFF 32 Mikal Bridges Points 24 Accuracy 8-11 Rebounds 7 Assists 1

As he waited for Nicolo Melli to join him in the press room, he asked journalists about their origins.

"Spanish? Filipino? Egypt? Honduras? USA? Greece?" Pozzecco inquired, scanning the room.

However, the atmosphere took a sudden turn when Melli entered.

Melli had visible signs of a facial injury, having been poorly scratched in an attempt by Brandon Ingram to make a spectacular play.

Before the press conference began, Melli became emotional, prompting Pozzecco to rise from his seat and hug his player.

Upon returning to his seat, Pozzecco began his speech.

"That's the reaction of my player," he looked at Melli.

"Everybody thought we didn't have a chance to win this game. But we're here because... There's one little animal, calabrone, that can't fly, but he doesn't know that he can't," Pozzecco found a comparison to his team.

"My players shouldn't be supposed to be here. But they didn't know. But they came here, and we're among the best eight teams in the world. The reaction of Melli means everything to me, do you understand?"

"You now understand and see, as everybody in the world, what kind of mentality we showed in this tournament. We can't fly, but we didn't know. And they did it. That's amazing."

"They didn't deserve to play against the USA. Because we were first in our group. My players were first in the group. But that's sports."

"I love all my players. I loved them before the game and right now, even more. I respect them today even more."

Pozzecco asked if Nicolo Melli wanted to speak in front of the media. It turned out the Italian team veteran had a lot to say.

Italy / Schedule

Serbia Italy76-78 Italy Puerto Rico73-57 Italy USA63-100 Italy Thu08:45

"You need to be a little bit lucky. I think we did everything we could do in our group. I'm really proud to be part of this team. I think this time we deserve maybe a little bit more. We deserve to overcome the quarterfinals," Melli said, as Italy hadn't advanced past the quarterfinals since the 2004 Olympics.

"You need to know how to win and lose. Just one more time, we need to learn how to lose. But we'll try to qualify for the Olympics next summer. If not, we'll be next summer again, and next summer again, and again."

"We were asked: what we could do more to advance? There's nothing more. We did everything we could."

After Melli's speech, Pozzeco clapped.

"We should be proud of what we did. We received a lot of love and support from fans and our families. This is something we should cherish. But as an athlete, you want to win and go home with something heavy around your neck. But it's sports, it's life. We'll be back," Melli added.

Pozzecco also explained what he was discussing with Tyrese Haliburton during the game and what he said to Steve Kerr in a conversation with the USA coach following the final whistle.

"During the game, we started talking with some players. I wanted to make sure I didn't complain or argue with them. I just told him that it was about some fouls, nothing else. I just wanted to tell it to him," Pozzeco said.

"I was a player, and as a coach, I don't talk to players. It shouldn't be like that," Pozzecco added.

"He said he understands me," the Italian coach clarified.

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