REGGIO EMILIA (Italy) – Italy remained tried and true to history in qualifying for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 for their 39th appearance in the continental tournament.

Italy equaled France for the most berths in Europe’s top tournament – though the French can still make it 40 later in the Qualifiers. But Italy have stayed persistent in creating top level players and regularly make it to the top events around the world.

Italia ensured qualification after Hungary fell to their fourth successive defeat – prior to their home encounter with Iceland, as the Azzurri had defeated Iceland 95-71 on the road in their opening game of the November window.

How they qualified

Gameday 1: ITA 87-80 TUR
Gameday 2: HUN 62-83 ITA
Gameday 3: ISL 71-95 ITA

Remaining fixtures

Gameday 4: ITA vs ISL
Gameday 5: TUR vs ITA
Gameday 6: ITA vs HUN

Qualifiers heroes

Marco Spissu and Amedeo Tessitori have been the only two players to appear in all games of the two windows. Head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco has cycled through a number of players otherwise, adding guys like debutant Grant Basile as well as and major competition veteran stars like Nicolo Melli, Stefano Tonut, Achille Polonara and Alessandro Pajola.

History

Italy’s qualification for FIBA EuroBasket 2025 marks their 39th overall appearance in the continent’s flagship event, making them one of the most storied countries in European basketball. Of the 41 past EuroBaskets, Italy have only missed the competitions in 1949, 1961 and 2009.

Italy claimed two European titles – in 1983 and 1999 – and those two crowns were part of the country’s best stretch with six podium finishes in a span of 11 editions from 1983 to 2003, including a total of nine top eight finishes. But Italy’s last top three result came in 2003.

Champions: 1983, 1999
Runners-up: 1937, 1946, 1991, 1997
Third Place: 1971, 1975, 1985, 2003

Check out the all-time EuroBasket medalists

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