By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Commenting on rumors about Luca Banchi succeeding Gianmarco Pozzecco at the helm of the senior national team of Italy, Italian Basketball Federation president Gianni Petrucci confirmed a plan for the 60-year-old tactician to take over, ahead of the next FIBA challenges.
“The path seems clear. I can only say he’s an excellent coach, one of the best,” mentioned the 80-year-old executive in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
“I would prefer that,” he replied to a question about Banchi possibly focusing full-time on the national team, “I understand that if a coach you like is busy, a different solution is possible.”
In EuroBasket 2025, Italy went from second place with a 4-1 run in Limassol’s Group C to a losing effort opposite Slovenia and Luka Doncic in the Round of 16, marking elimination.
“We lacked in the knockout stage, which has happened in the past. Slovenia deserved to win. They were better and more composed than us. But we were not far from advancing,” assessed Petrucci.
“His contract had expired. It was over regardless,” he talked about FIP parting ways with Pozzecco after the EuroBasket exit. The 52-year-old coach, a former player, was Italy’s selector since 2022.
Meanwhile, Banchi was in charge of Latvia, with his EuroBasket run also ending in the Round of 16, at the hands of Lithuania. Confirming his exit was immediately combined with rumors about heading to the Azzurri. The Grosseto native was the head coach of Latvia since 2021.
Photo Credit: FIBA