Italian Down Syndrome Basketball Team Crowned World Champions for the Fourth Time

The Italian basketball team with Down Syndrome becomes world champion for the fourth time. In a very hard-fought match, with scores: 3-5; 6-2; 3-3; 6-7, the Azzurri defeated Turkey and secured the last missing trophy: the victory at the Trisome Games, the global competition for athletes with Down Syndrome. Despite the large Turkish crowd filling the stands, Italy held up well, also thanks to the push from the fans who came to support the National team. There are now 4 world and 2 European events in the Azzurri's trophy case, to which is added the satisfaction of seeing Davide Paulis also awarded as the best player of the tournament. The team: Alex Cesca (captain), Davide Paulis, Andrea Durante, Stefano Barollo, Alessandro Greco, Emanuele Fiorini, Francesco Leocata, Andrea Rebichini. National Technical Coordinator and head coach Giuliano Bufacchi. Technical assistants: Francesca D'Erasmo and Mauro Dessì. 'Great satisfaction' Here is the comment from the head coach Bufacchi after the triumph: 'Beautiful. For years the matches against Turkey have been of a high level because their coach, with whom we are friends, works well just like us. The satisfaction is greater when you beat a friend. Will they win next time? Possible. That's the beauty of sport.' Enthusiastic was the Head of Delegation Gaspare Majelli: 'Our basketball representation, after winning all the qualifying and semifinal matches, wins the world champion title at the Trisome Games 2024. The final played against Turkey, the host country, was full of great emotions, played with great balance between the two teams and point by point until the last seconds, all heart-stopping. Our boys, even under the hot support of the home fans, maintained the right concentration like true champions, which allowed them to defend the world title.'