Italy hero Belinelli only concentrating on Mexico

TURIN (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Marco Belinelli has been playing like a masked crusader for Italy at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin, a superhero that has come to the rescue to help the side overcome difficult moments against Tunisia and Croatia.

A broken cheekbone suffered in a warm-up game several days before the start of the OQT was never going to rob the 30-year-old of the opportunity to play in front of his home crowd with Italy at a big event for the first time. Italy take on Mexico on Friday in a Semi-Final and must win to keep their hopes of reaching the Rio Olympics alive. 

Belinelli talked to FIBA.com.

FIBA.com: What are your thoughts on the tournament so far and the team's performance in the first two games?
Belinelli: I think we are in the right position. Tomorrow (Friday) we have a game against Mexico. I think they're a good team, they play together, so we need to be focused and be ready for a fight. It's not going to be easy, but in the last two games, I think we have improved our defense for sure. It's not always easy to play at home with a lot of Italian fans but at the same time, I think we're trying to do better. At practice today, everything was good so we are going to try and be ready for a big game.

FIBA.com: This is a new experience for you playing at home for Italy in a big tournament.
Belinelli: It's easy to play here with the Italian fans. Maybe at the beginning, it can be a little nervous but they give you a lot of energy to put on the court and try to win the game. So, we just try to live day by day and try to do our job. Our job is to go onto the court, play aggressive and try to play together.

FIBA.com: You were saying that you do not consider yourselves favorites but just one of the four teams and you don't underestimate anyone.
Belinelli: I think we are a good team, but we haven't proved anything. We haven't won something in the past so we need to work and we need to do something on the court to be one good team.

FIBA.com: You're going up against Mexico and if you were to win that game, you would go up against Greece or Croatia, teams that you would have faced in the past.
Belinelli: I think it's better to think about Mexico first and then we're going to think about other teams.

FIBA.com: How has it been playing with the broken cheekbone?
Belinelli: I need to play with that. I'm just going on the court and being aggressive and trying to help our team win. It's not easy but at the same time, there is no other solution so let's just leave it at that.

Marco Belinelli (ITA) has risen to the occasion for Italy in Turin

FIBA.com: How great has it been to play in this atmosphere?
Belinelli: It's great. I like Turin, it's a good city. For sure, it's amazing to play here. We love the Italian fans.

FIBA.com: Where were you were you in 2004 when Italy got to the Final at the 2004 Olympics?
Belinelli: I was young, watching it on TV at home. It was a long time ago, but at the same time a good team that I respect.

FIBA.com: What would it mean for you to get to the Olympics with this team?
Belinelli: Everything. That's why I want to get onto the court to help my teammates. I think everygody is focused on giving everything on the court to get to Brazil.

FIBA