By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Italian national team pulled off the upset against reigning silver medalist Serbia in the final of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade to get a ticket to Tokyo. Danilo Gallinari wasn’t there since he was busy in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Atlanta Hawks but made himself available for the Olympics even before his national team secured its spot in the games.
“I still believe in the Olympics, and if the coach and federation give me the chance to go to the Olympics once we win this game today, I’d be honored to be a part of that team,” Gallinari said in his exit interview, per Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto.
Italian Federation President Gianni Petrucci passed the ball to coach Meo Sachetti when it comes to whether Gallinari, along with Gigi Datome and Marco Belinelli – who also didn’t play in Belgrade -will make the Olympic roster.
“We have to celebrate with this group. We are talking about this after this day. It’s not a good question for my team now. After this, tomorrow, we talk about other situations,” Sachetti said after the win over Serbia.