By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Italy’s national team has landed in China for the upcoming World Cup tournament (31/8 – 15/9).
The Italian squad arrived at Shenyang where they will play their Group Stage games following a flight from Athens to Beijing. Per the Italian Federation, the “Azzurri” received a warm welcome by fans waving Chinese flags and blow-up dolls of the players of the Italian team, plus many local journalists.
Italy has also made its first practice in China. Coach Meo Sacchetti’s players will give two preparation games before the World Cup launch, one vs. Serbia (August 23), France (August 25) and New Zealand (August 26).
The 14 players currently in Italy’s squad are the following:
# 00 Amedeo Della Valle (1993, 194, G, A | X Armani Exchange Milan)
# 3 Marco Belinelli (1986, 196, G, San Antonio Spurs – NBA)
# 5 Alessandro Gentile (1992, 200, G / A, -)
# 6 Paul Biligha (1990, 200, C, A | X Armani Exchange Milan)
# 7 Luca Vitali (1986, 201, P, Germani Basket Brescia)
# 8 Danilo Gallinari (1988, 208, A, Oklahoma City Thunder – NBA)
# 10 Daniel Hackett (1987, 199, G, CSKA Moscow – Rus)
# 12 Ariel Filloy (1987, 190, P, Umana Reyer Venice)
# 15 Jeff Brooks (1989, 203, A, A | X Armani Exchange Milan)
# 16 Amedeo Tessitori (1994, 208, C, De ’Longhi Treviso)
# 17 Giampaolo Ricci (1991, 201, A, Segafredo Virtus Bologna)
# 23 Awudu Abass (1993, 198, A, Germani Basket Brescia)
# 41 Brian Sacchetti (1986, 200, A, Germani Basket Brescia)
# 70 Luigi Datome (1987, 203, A, Fenerbahce – Tur)