Pianigiani gives his backing to FIBA's new system of competition

ROME (EuroBasket 2015) - Italy head coach Simone Pianigiani has indicated he is in favour of FIBA's new system of competition that will come into effect in 2017.

A hugely successful coach in his time with Montepaschi Siena in both Italy's Lega A and the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Pianigiani is preparing to lead Italy at EuroBasket 2015, the 24-team tournament running from 5-20 September.

The full-time coach of the national side, Pianigiani has not been able to meet with his players as a unit until the summers, but the new calendar has several windows for practices and qualifying games for FIBA Basketball World Cups and EuroBaskets that will allow coaches to be with their national team players more.

The move will enable fans in countries all over the world to see their national team more regularly, thus strengthening their connection with the players and the programme.

"I like the fact that FIBA has decided to start playing national team games during the winter from 2017 because I think some windows for the national team is very important so the guys don't lose contact with their country," Pianigiani said to FIBA.com, while on a visit to Heraklion (Crete), Greece, where he observed Italy's team competing at the FIBA U19 World Championship.

Pianigiani wants to help restore the good times to Italy, with the men's senior team having been shut out of the medals since the 2004 Olympics.

One important development for Italy is that the national basketball federation (FIP) has created a 'B' senior team.

There is now a larger pool of players to draw from for the 'A' team, and the players themselves have extra competition in the summers that helps with their personal development and exposure.

"We built a project in the last three years that has a second national team B senior level," Pianigiani said.

"They were playing a tournament one week ago and they will soon go to China to try and play other games.

"Every time there is a window open from their job at the club, the federation and the national teams are to keep them to work together and work for the national team level.

"This is good for them and it's good for scouts to see them or in international competition to see them.

"So this I think is the future, to continue with the good trainers, respecting the health of the players.

"But when the championship finishes in Italy in May, the high level player keeps playing."

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA