# Italy men's and women's basketball preparation schedules

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-mens-basketball-preparatory-friendlies
> Updated: 2026-08-19T17:59:22.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 6.

Italy’s senior men’s team finished its preparatory mini‑cycle with back‑to‑back friendly victories – 103‑91 over Croatia in Gorizia on 24 June and 86‑83 over Slovenia in Celje on 27 June – before heading to the first qualification window. The squad travelled to Reykjavik for the Iceland qualifier on 2 July and then to Bologna for the Lithuania game on 5 July, as announced by coach Marco Ramondino.

The next phase sees Italy face Bosnia & Herzegovina in Tuzla on 28 August, followed by a clash with Serbia at the Vitrifrigo Arena in Pesaro on 31 August, with Mayor Andrea Biancani highlighting the expected tourism boost.

From 10 to 31 August, the men’s and women’s national teams convened at a joint training camp in Folgaria, Trentino. The men's squad, led by coach Pozzecco, commenced this camp as primary preparation for upcoming matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Key figures such as Niccolò Melli, Simone Fontecchio, and Darius Thompson were expected to join the group starting August 14.

In Trento, the teams are scheduled for double-header events at the BTS Arena. On August 21, the women’s national team, coached by Andrea Capobianco, will face China in a friendly match to prepare for the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin (4–13 September). On August 22, the men’s national team, led by coach Luca Banchi, will play Estonia as part of the 12th Trentino Basket Cup, serving as a stepping stone for the second phase of the FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers in Qatar. Following the Trento matches, the women’s team will travel to Paris for tests against France on August 27 and 28.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Italy national basketball teams to play China and Estonia in Trento

Italy's men's and women's national basketball teams will face China and Estonia in Trento as preparation for upcoming FIBA World Cup competitions.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-national-basketball-teams-to-play-china-and-estonia-in-trento

### 2026-08-10: Italy national basketball team begins training camp in Folgaria

The Italian men's national basketball team has begun its training camp in Folgaria to prepare for crucial matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia ahead of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-national-basketball-team-begins-training-camp-in-folgaria

### 2026-07-27: Italy basketball teams hold Folgaria training camp ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Italy’s men’s and women’s basketball teams train in Folgaria (10‑31 Aug) before qualifiers versus Bosnia & Herzegovina (28 Aug) and Serbia (31 Aug), a Trentino Cup vs Estonia, and a women’s friendly vs China.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-basketball-teams-hold-folgaria-training-camp-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers

### 2026-07-16: Italy basketball team to face Serbia in Pesaro World Cup qualifier

Italy faces Serbia in a 31 August basketball World Cup qualifier at Pesaro’s Vitrifrigo Arena, with the city touting economic benefits and the mayor praising the event’s significance.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-basketball-team-to-face-serbia-in-pesaro-world-cup-qualifier

### 2026-06-27: Italy beats Slovenia 86-83 in basketball friendly in Celje

Italy defeated Slovenia 86-83 in Celje, with Tonut scoring 18, as the team wraps up its friendly prep for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-defeats-slovenia-in-basketball-friendly-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers

### 2026-06-23: Italy men's basketball beats Croatia 103-91 in Gorizia friendly

Italy beat Croatia 103‑91 in Gorizia; Baldasso scored 29. Coach Ramondino praised the effort and previewed the next friendly versus Slovenia before World Cup qualifiers.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-mens-volleyball-opens-vnl-week-2-against-bulgaria-in-slovenia

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Cite as: Italy men's and women's basketball preparation schedules. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-mens-basketball-preparatory-friendlies