'Meo' Sacchetti full of enthusiasm to lead Italy

ROME (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Romeo Sacchetti has held the reins of numerous clubs since launching his coaching career in 1996 at Auxilium Torino.

None of the jobs, however, can compare to his latest as Italy's national team boss. Ettore Messina, who led the Italians the past couple of summers, recommended Sacchetti to the Italian Basketball Federation.

During his playing career, Sacchetti was a member of the Azzurri side that claimed a silver medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

He will guide Italy when they compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers, starting in November.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, Sacchetti said: "Without taking away anything from other former players, for a player that has played in the national team to go on to coach them has a different taste. It's something special and particular."

Sacchetti will guide Italy against Romania, Croatia and the Netherlands in Group D. Their first qualifier will be in Torino on November 23 against the Romanians.

Sacchetti, who is also the coach of Vanoli Cremona in the Lega A, spoke with a lot of enthusiasm when he was recently unveiled as the new national team coach.

"I'm excited, and I'm not one who knows how to mask his feelings," he said. "I've always liked the challenges, and this is a great challenge. Italian players need to have more fire."

Italy, meanwhile, have announced that Lele Molin, Massimo Maffezzoli and Paolo Conti will serve as Sacchetti's assistants.

Italy reached the Quarter-Finals of FIBA EuroBasket 2017 this summer. After advancing from the Group Phase in Israel, the Azzurri beat Finland in the Round of 16 before falling to Serbia in the last eight.

FIBA