Meli: “As an athlete you want to return home with a medal, not reach the quarterfinals”

With… terrifying appearance from start to finish, the USA they crushed it 100-63 Italy and booked a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

In this way, the “Azzuri” once again failed to qualify for the top four of a major competition, something they have not achieved since Olympiacos of Athens in 2004. This was what O Nicholas Meliwho emphasized that every athlete wants a medal and not just a presence in the quarterfinals.

In detail what he said:

“I said that in other interviews after the games. You also need luck. I think we did everything we could in the group stage. I am very proud to be part of this team. I think this time we deserved something better, something more. We deserved to go through to the quarter-finals, but you have to know how to win and lose. Once again, we must learn to lose. We will be back next summer. We will try to qualify for the Olympics. If we don’t make it, we’ll be there next summer.

I was asked what more this team could do. Nothing. We did everything we could. We will work even harder next year until we finally succeed. It’s very important that we got into the top eight teams in the World, but as an athlete you want to come back with a medal after so much preparation and competition. You don’t want to come home and say ‘we’re in the Top-8’. But at the same time we should be proud of what we did. We received love and support from our fans back home, from our families and friends. It is something we should appreciate. But as an athlete, you want to come home with something heavy hanging around your neck. But that’s life and sports. We will be back”.