Italy's adventure at EuroBasket 2025 starts with a defeat: in Hamburg, the Azzurri succumbed 75-66 against Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greece, one of the big favorites for the title. Despite the technical and physical gap, Gianmarco Pozzecco's team showed personality and compactness, staying in the game until the final buzzer. The best Italian scorer was Nicolò Melli, author of 15 points and 7 rebounds. Also in double figures were Saliou Niang (11) and Matteo Spagnolo (10). “We played a solid game,” Pozzecco commented, “It was not easy, but we remained focused until the end. The goal is to repeat this solidity in all the games of the round. Against Georgia it will be tough, but it is for all the challenges of this European”. Along the same lines Danilo Gallinari: “We put a lot of energy, especially in the first half. We need to improve continuity, but if we stay intense for 40 minutes we can play with anyone”. After a one-day break, Italy will return to the court on Saturday, August 30, against Georgia, fresh off its feat against Sergio Scariolo's Spain (83-69). This will be followed by challenges with Bosnia and Herzegovina (August 31), Spain (September 2) and Cyprus (September 4). The top four in the group will advance to the round of 16, where they will cross Group D qualifiers (France, Slovenia, Israel, Poland, Iceland and Belgium).