Pozzecco reveals Italy’s secret lucky charm at EuroBasket

Italian head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco revealed a touching tradition accompanying the Italian team during EuroBasket. Before each game, the coach calls Achille Polonara, currently hospitalized in Valencia for myeloid leukemia treatment, in a ritual that has become essential to the Squadra Azzurra’s performance.

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A ritual born from emotion and turned superstition

Holding back tears, Pozzecco explained the importance of these pre-game calls: « We call Achille… I called him before the Greece game, an hour before the match, and I said Achille, I’ll call you back 30 minutes before the game with all the guys in the locker room. And then I called him, and he didn’t answer. I don’t know why, and we lost the game. »

This unfortunate coincidence transformed the calls into a true ritual. « Then I called him before the Georgia game and told him he had to answer. And he answered. Then against Bosnia, the same, and today the same. So we’re at 100% when he answers the phone before the game », shared the Italian coach.

The absence weighing on the Italian team

Polonara’s absence is deeply felt in the Italian roster. « We miss Achille Polonara a lot », admitted Pozzecco, emphasizing that the situation of the player hospitalized in Valencia differs from that of Stefano Tonut, also absent but due to injury. « It’s not easy for us to think about him », he added emotionally.

Despite difficulties faced against Spain, including a challenging start with a 13-point deficit and seven scoreless minutes, Pozzecco remains proud of his players: « These guys never gave up, and we qualified, and now we’re going to Riga. » The coach also paid tribute to Spain, which he considers « the best team in Europe for 20 years », while praising Sergio Scariolo’s work.