The men’s national team returns to play Reggio Emilia after 24 years. Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco’s Azzurri will challenge theIceland Monday 25 November at PalaBigi in the fourth qualifying match for EuroBasket 2025, the European Championship which will take place next summer between Latvia, Cyprus, Finland and Poland.
Curated for the Italian Basketball Federation by the commercial advisor Master Group Sport, the organization of the match will see the precious and decisive support of Emilia-Romagna Region and the professionalism of Reggiana Basketballwhich this year celebrates its first 50 years of history.
After last February’s victories against Türkiye (87-80 in Pesaro) e Hungary (62-83 in Szombathely) Italbasket will therefore face a delicate back to back against the Icelanders playing Reykjavík il 22 novembre and right in the “City of the Tricolor” three days later looking for a qualification in these two matches which could arrive well before the final “window” scheduled for February 2025. The time of the match and all the information on the ticket office will be announced in the coming weeks.
First official match of the men’s national team in the Emilian capital, which had previously hosted two friendly matches at the PalaBigi, both won, in 1978 and 2000. The first ever, on 6 January 1978 against Turkey for the “Decio Scuri” Cup , it was a 107-77 for the Azzurri led on the bench by Giancarlo Primo. Top scorer with 20 points was the late Claudio Malagoli, born in Novellara, less than 20 kilometers from Reggio Emilia. The last appearance dates back to 26 February 2000: success against Antoine Rigaudeau’s France 69-65 in the year of the Sydney Olympic Games. On the bench for Italy Boscia Tanjevic. Top scorer Carlton Myers with 20 points.
Giovanni Petrucci, President of the Italian Basketball Federation
“Emilia-Romagna has always been a land of basketball and in the coming months it will be even more so because after 24 years the national team will return to play in Reggio Emilia. Heartfelt thanks go to the Emilia-Romagna Region in the person of the Head of the Political Secretariat of the Presidency of the Emilia-Romagna Region Giammaria Manghi for the enthusiasm and availability shown in ensuring that the Azzurri could return to the PalaBigi after such a long time. A privilege to be able to take advantage of the professionalism and fifty-year know-how of Pallacanestro Reggiana, one of the historic clubs of our basketball led today impeccably by president Veronica Bartoli. Italy-Iceland will ideally launch one of the great events of 2025, namely the EuroBasket Women round in Bologna in June next year, an event strongly supported by the FIP”.
Giammaria Manghi, Head of the Political Secretariat of the Presidency of the Emilia-Romagna Region
“The Sport Valley Emilia-Romagna has among its various specificities also that of being a land of basketball, with various historic squares in which this sport is rooted and enjoys significant relevance; among them there is also Reggio Emilia. I think it is very nice that, as part of the celebrations of the 50th birthday of a club that is still a noble expression of the top flight of Italian basketball like Pallacanestro Reggiana, the return of the national team is announced after 24 years. For the Emilia-Romagna Region it is a reason for great satisfaction, because the Italian team represents the maximum expression of every sport for our country. Thanks, therefore, to the Italian Basketball Federation and President Petrucci for this opportunity, generated in collaboration with our Region, and naturally thanks to the availability and collaboration of Pallacanestro Reggiana“.
Veronica Bartoli, President of Reggiana Basketball
“Hosting an official Italian national team match in Reggio Emilia is personally a dream come true. I think that this event represents a great homage to our city, cradle of the Tricolore, and a confirmation of the passion that can be felt in our territory, even more so in the season that celebrates 50 years of Pallacanestro Reggiana. I also believe that this match is a recognition of the commitment and dedication of the red and white family in dedicating themselves daily to the magnificent sport of basketball. I thank President Petrucci, the Federation and the Emilia-Romagna Region for this gift to the city, I am convinced that it will be a wonderful evening of sport in front of an enthusiastic audience”.
