We go to the World Cup. Pozzecco's Azzurri win the thrilling final against Georgia 85-84 in Tbilisi. A victory that is worth the mathematical qualification. A deserved victory both because Italy was superior in the game, and because too much home refereeing removed Mannion from the match after 13 minutes due to his expulsion caused by an unsportsmanlike and practically invented simulation technician.
Great protagonist Marco Spissu: 15 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, but above all the two bombs in the most difficult moment, when Georgia was ahead by 5 points in the 36th minute.
Italy commanded in the first quarter closing it up by 5 points (19-24) and in the second quarter it also went up by 7 shooting very well from three (10/20) and with the excellent defense on Shengelia, limited to just one basket.
In the second half the illusory +8 (40-48 in the 23') was reabsorbed by the Georgians who found Shengelia again in attack and improved in the three-point shot especially with Berishvili who sealed the lead: 74-69.
Italy rediscovered the three-point shot after so many mistakes at the right moment and Spissu put the team on his shoulders with two three-pointers. Azzurri also +6 with Severini's counterattack at 29 seconds, but Shengelia scored immediately, Pajola lost the ball and Berishvili made a basket from eight metres. Pajola missed both free throws, but Shengelia at the buzzer (perhaps even later) was unable to shoot.
The tables
Georgia : Andronikashvili 4, Berishvili 11, McFadden 13, Sanadze 14, Shengelia 15, Bekauri 2, Bokolishvili ne, Jintcharadze, Korantia ne, Londaridze ne, Shermadini 14, Tsintsadze 11. All. Zouros.
Italy : Spissu 15, Mannion 6, Biligha 11, Tessitori 15, Ricci 8, Moraschini, Baldasso 3, Caruso ne, Vitali 11, Pajola 6, Severini 5, Petrucelli 5. All. Pozzecco.
