After 16 years, the Italian national wheelchair basketball team is back among the top four in the world. In Ottawa, Canada, the Azzurri defeated Poland 75-68, earning a spot in the semifinals of the World Championships.
Fifth victory in as many games for Italy led by coach Castellucci who fielded two players from Diamo Lab Sassari in the starting five: guard Saaid and center Papi, who scored 22 points and, together with Carossino (826 points), led the Azzurri against Poland, which featured another Dinamo Lab player, Mosler.
Italy will now face Japan or Great Britain on Thursday, September 17 (time to be determined), who will meet on the Italian night between September 15 and 16. On the other side of the bracket, Australia will face the winner of Germany vs. the United States.
