VARESE (Italy) - A jubilant Italy are basking in euphoria after ending a 13-year drought and qualifying for the FIBA Basketball World Cup . 

The Azzurri booked their ticket to China in style with a 75-41 thrashing of Hungary on Friday in front of a frenzied capacity crowd at the historic Enerxenia Arena.

Italy stifled Hungary in a first-half masterclass through suffocating defense and capped off the convincing performance with trademark offensive flair to kick-start the party in basketball-adoring Varese.

Italy (8-3) joined Lithuania and Poland to emerge from the tough Group J in qualifying to the World Cup and ensure the pressure is off for their final game against Lithuania on Monday.

"ITALIAN BASKETBALL NEEDED THIS QUALIFICATION AND NOW WE WANT TO CONTINUE OUR GROWTH IN CHINA."- Italy coach Meo Sacchetti

Italy’s achievement in securing a World Cup spot for the first time since 2006 was wildly celebrated on social media, including from Italian star and San Antonio Spurs player Marco Belinelli.

Orgoglioso di voi ragazzi finalmente avete riportato L Italia ai mondiali💪🏼🇮🇹 @italbasket #2006 #2019 #fibawc

— Marco Belinelli (@marcobelinelli) February 22, 2019

No-one was prouder than Coach Meo Sacchetti, who brilliantly masterminded Italy's disciplined performance as they head to China as a force to be reckoned with.

As a former beloved player in Varese, it was a particularly sweet victory for the 65-year-old but he believed his emerging team should not be satisfied with mere qualification.

"Thanks to all the players who played these Qualifiers,” he said. “We obtained a great result but we did not win anything. Italian basketball needed this qualification and now we want to continue our growth in China."

Point guard Amedeo Della Valle said qualifying for China rated at the top of his career achievements after he produced an outstanding performance against Hungary with a game-high 15 points.

"Maybe this qualification is the best satisfaction in my career," he said. "This is a fantastic group. I am happy to say that we qualified Italy for a World Cup (for the first time) since 2006."

Pietro Aradori, who scored 11 points, said it was a "fantastic game" for Italy. "For two years we have been building this team for qualification," he said.

"In Varese, everything was perfect. We could not ask for anything better. We are happy to have brought Italy back to the World Cup after 13 long years."

.....🇨🇳 !!!!!

— Pietro Aradori 21⛹🏼 (@pietroaradori) February 22, 2019

"I've had worse weeks. I have not been sleeping for days,” forward Giampaolo Ricci said. "I dreamed of such joy and we did it. I'm happy for the team and for Italian basketball."

FIBA