Globetrotter, without limits. Sassari-Malaga-Sassari-Kazan-Milan-Berlin-Sassari-Venice: two summers, tens of thousands of kilometers traveled with courage and stubbornness to prove once again that he can overcome the limits drawn by others, certainly not by himself, who has always raised the bar starting from Serie C basketball, up to face-to-face the stars of the NBA, at the last European Championships. A normal basketball player who turns into a symbol, a driver of the national team one step away from medals.
The farewell from the team of his city and the Olympics last summer, then the debut in the Euroleague and then in the last few weeks the definitive consecration in blue. Marco Spissu scored 22 points in the European Championships against Serbia, scored 21 against France and was the only one to make a field goal in extra time. The playamaker has been able to transform himself into one of the symbols of the national team led by his "teacher" Pozzecco. Clicked on the web the image of the left-handed play from Sassari who scores in the face of the powerful Frenchman Yabusele, 20 cm and 40 kilos more. Then there are the photos that show the determination of the little Sassari after every basket, every assist for his teammates. A model especially for kids: in basketball you can break through even with a normal body if the attributes are giants.
Marco Spissu has been in Venice since yesterday. The bitter rival of Dinamo for the 2019 championship made him a ruthless court for months in order to have him at the court of the "Doge" De Raffaele and try to counter the Milan-Virtus Bologna duopoly.
Marco Spissu, is the defeat still burning with France?
«Yes, because having entered the second round against Serbia and having won made us dream so much, we knew that from then on we would have to face squadrons, but this special group was ready. We came very close to playing the semifinal and we would have gone straight to the medal, I'm sure. Unfortunately what has happened has happened, basketball is beautiful but also terrible at times ».
Is there any regret?
«The real regret is for the defeat against Ukraine, but I am happy and proud of the progress made by the national team, because it has made itself respected throughout Europe and this is important. We have something special inside, the fans have noticed. And sooner or later with this special group something will come ».
At the World Cup?
«For the World Cup there are two qualifying windows in November and February, we are missing a victory, maximum two, but we are confident after what we did in August. We want to do well, to honor the jersey and then the pitch will speak. There will also be Italy to give the big names a hard time ».
Take a personal balance of the Europeans.
"My performance has grown, compared to the matches played in Milan I have found more personal initiatives, I have gained confidence".
It surprised many who thought he couldn't play that high level ...
«I have always believed in myself and I have waited for my useful opportunity. When things get tough I never back down, I put my face to it. Too bad for how it ended, but we have to start from there ».
A thought on this season's Dinamo.
«Dinamo have built a great team, even if the judgment will have to be given later because there are some injuries and ailments and therefore it is difficult to understand where they will rank. When I can I always follow her, I'm from Sassari and I don't deny my origins ».
Every so often he is in the stands at the “Vanni Sanna”, like Sunday, why?
«Because as a kid I also played football and cheering Torres. When I'm free from commitments I follow them: it's always nice to go back to the stadium. Too bad for the result, but there is again a good air of people who want another category. We hope to see the 3 points in the professional series soon ».
Giampiero Marras
