On August 31st , Italy defeated Georgia 78-62 in the European Championship Group C match held in Limassol, Cyprus. They had previously lost to Greece in the opening match , and this victory not only avoided another upset, but also allowed them to maintain their undefeated record against Georgia.

With the enthusiastic cheers of the home fans, Georgia remained close after three quarters. In a crucial moment, Italy went on a 16-0 run in the final quarter , instantly widening the gap from 3 points to 19 points and securing the victory 66-47 . Coach Pozzeko's on-the-spot management played a crucial role.

The 21- year-old Saliou Niang exploded on both ends of the court, scoring a team-high 15 points and contributing numerous highlight-reel performances. He again stepped up after his opener, proving his potential as a clutch player in major tournaments. Simone Fontecchio, recovering from a slump, posted 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, showing a significant return to form. Despite Goga Bitadze's game-high 22 points, Georgia was unable to withstand Italy's dominant late-quarter attack.

Italy barely allowed their opponents a chance in the second half, committing only three turnovers and significantly improving their offensive and defensive stability. Georgia, on the other hand, made just 11 of 19 free throws , a mere 58% shooting percentage , and only 3 of 21 three-pointers, a 14% shooting percentage , setting a new single-game record for the European Championship. This inefficient perimeter play was the primary reason for the loss.