Universiade, the second phase of the tournament begins: Italy in 9th-16th place in the draw
The first phase of the basketball tournament at the thirtieth Summer Universiade scheduled in Campania ended yesterday, Saturday 6 June. The Italian national team, which can count on the new Bertram Derthona player Bruno Mascolo, finished Group D in third place – with a roadmap that reads one victory and two defeats – behind Canada and Germany.
In the first match of Group D, Italy was defeated by Canada with a score of 96-70: Mascolo still played a good match, with 9 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Prompt redemption for the Azzurri in the following match, played against Norway and won 53-70: the new Juventus point guard finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals at the siren.
Yesterday's match against Germany was therefore decisive for access to the medal table: in a hot and packed PalaBarbuto, Italy - after playing a good first half - suffered from the greater physicality of their opponents and surrendered with the score 67-81. Another good performance for Mascolo, with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
In the second phase of the event, which will start on Monday 8 July, the Azzurri will play for places from 9th to 16th place: the next opponent of the team coached by coach Andrea Paccariè is the China, in the match scheduled for tomorrow at 10.30am at the PalaDelMauro in Avellino. The conclusion of the basketball tournament is scheduled for Thursday 11 July, the day on which the finals will be played.
