On the 26th anniversary of Italy`s historic EuroBasket gold in 1999, basketball legend Gianluca Basile shared reflections on that memorable campaign and offered frank observations on the current national team`s ambitions. Basile, a key 24-year-old contributor to that victorious squad, went on to achieve further success with Italy, including a bronze in 2003 and an Olympic silver in 2004, always playing a central role.
The Path to Glory: From Setback to Triumph
Basile recalls the journey beginning with an immediate challenge. “The first memory that comes to mind is the game against Croatia, featuring someone like Tony Kukoc,” he recounted. “We were leading by 20 points but ended up losing [70-68], which complicated things right away. Our star player, Myers, didn`t have a good game, and coach Boscia [Bogdan Tanjevic] came under scrutiny… It was chaos. We immediately had our backs against the wall.”
A team discussion followed, described by Basile as “nothing major,” allowing them to regroup and face Turkey in a must-win final group game. It was here that Basile witnessed a rare sight.
“That was the first and last time I saw Tanjevic struggling,” he admitted. “The game was decided near the end, and in the final timeout, he picked up the marker to draw the play, and his hand was trembling, his fingers going all over the place. Usually, he`d eat pressure for breakfast. That shows how important it was for everyone.”
The turning point, according to Basile, came in the quarterfinals against Russia. “Qualifying [from the group] gave us a good push, but the game where we truly gained awareness was against Russia in the quarters [102-79]. We played exceptionally well, and that win also secured our spot in the Sydney Olympics.”
However, the looming challenge was “Serbia,” or as Tanjevic still called them, “the great Yugoslavia.” Basile acknowledged their talent, recalling facing “a legend like Sabonis” and realizing their own big man, Chiacig, looked like a “small point guard” next to him. “They were impressive and full of talent. Of course, Serbia had Divac, Danilovic, and all the others, but we desperately wanted to beat them. [Tanjevic] had constantly compared us to them. It was a monumental task [winning 71-62].”
The victory over Serbia prompted a brief, and rather amusing, misunderstanding regarding team celebrations. “After beating Serbia, a strange rumour reached Tanjevic – someone told him we were going to a disco to celebrate,” Basile shared with a hint of retrospective irony. “So, he stayed in the lobby, standing and waiting for us until dawn, eventually collapsing on the sofas. The `spy` was mistaken: I, Myers, Menego [Meneghin], and Fucka had gone out for dinner but were back by midnight or so, entering through a back door. He only told us this later.”
The final against Spain, in comparison, felt almost anticlimactic after the semi-final hurdle. “There was practically no contest [64-56],” Basile noted, despite Spain having high expectations, having beaten France and Lithuania and boasting a sharp shooter like Herreros. “I remember watching those games, and when Sabonis got his fifth foul, called by the Italian referee Cazzaro, we celebrated like it was a goal.”
The Secret Sauce: Tactics and Mental Fortitude
Basile identifies two key factors behind that team`s success. Tactically, Alessandro Meneghin was crucial. “The key was Meneghin: a two-meter-tall point guard, just like Boscia liked,” Basile explained. “With someone like that bringing the ball up, we could play Myers at shooting guard and a physically impactful small forward like De Pol or Abbio.” Mentally, the initial loss to Croatia served as a “big slap that woke us up considerably.”
Looking Ahead: Basile`s Hopes and Concerns for Current Italy
Turning his attention to the present-day `Italbasket` under coach Pozzecco, Basile shared his feelings ahead of the upcoming European Championships.
“I saw that Fontecchio moved to the Miami Heat,” Basile mentioned, expressing a common national team concern regarding NBA clubs. “Let`s hope they don`t cause trouble and release him.” He also pointed to the recent achievements of the women`s team. “The girls under Capobianco have put good pressure on Poz. They were fantastic.” Basile feels a sense of urgency for the current men`s group: “It`s time for this group to win a medal. National teams have cycles, and there isn`t much time left.”
Basile also addressed the likely absence of Achille Polonara, who is facing a “far more important challenge.” Basile conveyed his support: “I stand with him and his family during this very difficult time. I know his contract just expired, and I think it would be a beautiful gesture if Virtus [his club] were to renew it, say, sight unseen. I know we always talk about business, and everyone has their beliefs, of course, but it would truly be a great gesture of closeness. I`ve seen all his teammates have shown him affection; now, in my opinion, support is needed from the club.”
Basile`s reflections offer a window into the past glory of Italian basketball, providing valuable lessons in resilience and tactical adaptation, while also highlighting the hopes and practical concerns facing the current generation as they strive to add another medal to the nation`s collection.
Elton Marrow