ITALY got a big boost to its build-up for the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup when it defeated Greece, 74-70, to rule the 2023 Aegean Acropolis Basketball Tournament in Athens.
The Azzurri completed the sweep of the pocket tournament after it also won over Serbia, 89-88, after overcoming a 17-point deficit.
Utah Jazz player Simone Fontecchio once again led Italy in scoring with 17 points in the victory. Nicolo Melli, who plays in the domestic league with Olimpia Milano, had 13 points as Italy claimed its fourth title in the tournament.

Italy will be one of the foes of Gilas Pilipinas in the group stage of the Fiba Basketball World Cup. They will play against each other on August 29 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Can Gilas pull off upset vs Italy and Azzurri's potential Starting 5?
“We are more than happy,” said Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco as quoted by fip.it. “Even tonight, the boys played as a team and this makes me proud.”
“These are still friendlies but we are happy with the win and above all with the way we played. We defended, used the right amount of aggression and got the ball rolling effectively,” said Fonteccho, who will be in line to face his Utah Jazz teammate Jordan Clarkson in the World Cup.
Though part of Greece’s extended roster, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo did not play in the contest.
Nikos Rogkavopoulos had 12 points for Greece in the game. Thanasis Antetokounmpo only saw action for 17 minutes and scored three points.
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