By Marti Artigas

 

Day off. After three days of competition in the U20 Division "A" European Championship at Slovenia there are already four teams knocked out from the medals fight (Sweden, Montenegro, Estonia and Georgia), with the rest keeping their chances. One of them is Italy. Squad coached by Stefano Sacripanti ended second of group D after two victories (Sweden and Lithuania) and one loss (Slovenia). The captain is 5'11'' PG Andrea Traini ('92), being also an important piece with 10.3 points, 5.3 assists and 5.0 rebounds (he is the third best passer of the event). Eurohopes talked with him: "I think these two victories, especially the one against Lithuania, have a great value because we carry two points in the second stage".

 

Traini, who has played this season loaned from Scavolini to Recanati (Nazionale A), also adds about the second stage that "will be really hard because every team wants to do well, and we know that every game we have to give one 100%. Before beginning our goal was to pass the first round, and now the important thing is to finish in the top eight in Europe. Then we'll see". The point-guard thinks that the favorite teams to promote are "Serbia, Spain, Germany and Slovenia".

 

Personally participate in this event is a step forward in his progression, after averaging 10.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals for Recanati. Traini explains that "for me it is a great chance playing this kind of competition. The level is very high and I try to do all my best to help my team to win each single game. I'm very proud to be the captain of my national team and my goal is to be an example for everybody putting on the court everything I have inside".

 

Twitter of the author: @marti_artigas

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Castoria / Marchi