President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella welcomed Italy’s women’s basketball team — bronze medallists at the European Championships in Greece — and the men’s U20 side, fresh from winning gold at the European Championships in Crete, to the Quirinale’s Sala degli Specchi this afternoon.

Among those present were Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio, Italian Basketball Federation chief Giovanni Petrucci, and coaches Andrea Capobianco and Alessandro Rossi, along with players from both squads. Mattarella was presented with a golden basketball and a national team jersey bearing the No.1 (photo: ANSA).

“You were outstanding” Mattarella told the women’s team. “Congratulations. That bronze is the equivalent of gold: if you had beaten Belgium in the semi-final, nobody would have been surprised. You achieved something of real significance, inspiring young girls to take up basketball and other sports — removing prejudice and doing so with determination”.

Turning to the U20 men’s side, the President added: “Well done, you have given us certainty about the future of Italian basketball, and that is very important”. He also addressed racist comments made on the team’s social media accounts: “These miserable expressions of incivility do not unsettle us — they underline instead the importance of inclusion and of being together”.

Buonfiglio praised both teams: “You made us dream by reaching the top. We must never tire of being ambitious because our country deserves it. Winning in basketball is not easy, it is a global sport with the highest professionalism in the United States. To the women I say: we expect to see you at the Olympics. To the young men: join the senior team as soon as possible. Italy is condemned to win. And to President Mattarella: thank you, on behalf of Italian sport, for your affection and closeness. We are always grateful”.

Petrucci closed by recalling: “In my long career I met Presidents Ciampi and Napolitano — only you were missing. Thanks to these incredible teams I have fulfilled that dream. We achieved results once thought impossible, while also sending a message of inclusion. President Mattarella, please come to watch a game: it would be the first time for basketball, and for us it would be a great honour”.