The countdown has begun: the 2015 Basketball World Championships, which will be held in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10, starts in two days. The Italian national team arrives at the meeting unbeaten: 7 victories in the last 7 friendly matches have created a buzz around coach Pozzecco's Italbasket. It had been years since the Italian team had felt this good. On Monday, another positive result sealed Italy's magical moment: the Pozzecco team won the second match of the Solidarity Cup against New Zealand 88-81, following the previous success with Brazil. A game in which Spagnolo was the real star: the new Alba Berlin signing led the way with 14 points. Ricci (12 points) and Tonut (12 points) also had strong performances, and Polonara (10 points) finished in double figures. The World Cup will also serve as a qualifier for the 2020 Olympics, with the best two American and European teams, as well as the best African, Asian, and Oceanian teams, qualifying. Italy will make their World Cup debut against Angola in the opening match next Friday. Two days later, the meeting that could determine the group's first position, against the Dominican Republic. Finally, on the 29th, the challenge to the Philippines, which will have the proverbial benefit of the friendly public.
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