The Italian Under-20 national basketball team recently achieved a remarkable feat, clinching the European Championship title after a stellar performance culminating in a victory over Lithuania. However, this triumph was not merely a display of sporting prowess; it was also a resounding statement against an insidious adversary: racism.
The Unwarranted Attack
Days before the tournament commenced, a team photograph, proudly shared on the official Italbasket social media page on July 12, was met with a barrage of deplorable comments. Instead of celebratory remarks or well wishes, the digital space became a cesspool of hateful, racist insults directed at several players due to their skin color. It was an ugly, unprovoked attack on young athletes poised to represent their nation.
Fueling the Fire, Forging Gold
What did these athletes do when faced with such vitriol? They didn`t shrink. They didn`t let the ugliness fester. Instead, with a stoic resolve that would make even the most seasoned competitors nod in approval, they took the negativity and transformed it into rocket fuel for their championship ambitions. It seems the anonymous commentators, cloaked in their digital courage, inadvertently became the team`s most unconventional motivators.
Leading the charge in voicing this unexpected motivation was David Torresani, one of the key players in Italy’s golden run. Following their hard-won final against Lithuania, Torresani took to social media, delivering a pointed and succinct message that resonated deeply: “Thanks for the racist comments, you gave us energy.” It was a mic drop moment, a triumphant clap-back that echoed the team`s on-court dominance. Their response wasn`t a heated argument or a lengthy manifesto; it was a simple, powerful declaration of success, achieved despite, and perhaps even because of, the hatred they faced.
A Strong Stand from Leadership
The sentiment was echoed by Gianni Petrucci, the President of the Italian Basketball Federation, who staunchly defended his players. Petrucci, no stranger to public scrutiny, articulated a clear message: “I have read David Torresani`s comment, our athlete who just won the gold medal at the U20 European Championship: I know what it means to be targeted by insults and heavy comments on social networks, and I also know that generally, those who achieve important results in their career are outraged.”
He continued, cutting through the noise with directness: “Besides congratulating David, I want to reassure him that anyone who dares to publish racist comments is an uneducated person, disconnected from the world, who lives poorly in the reality of 2025 and therefore feels the need to express their deep personal discomfort in such a vulgar and mortifying way.” His words underscored that such prejudice belongs to an outdated worldview, incapable of grasping the modern tapestry of national identity in sports.
Victory Beyond the Scoreboard
The Italian U20 team, comprising talents like Assui, Torresani, Marangon, Atamah, Osasuyi, Airhienbuwa, along with Trucchetti, Ferrari, Iannuzzi, De Martin, Valesin, and Zanetti, demonstrated that true Italian pride isn`t defined by outdated notions of ethnicity, but by shared effort, skill, and dedication. They collectively showed that talent knows no color, and national representation is about commitment and performance, not superficial traits.
Their European Championship gold medal is more than just a sports trophy; it`s a potent symbol. It represents resilience in the face of bigotry, unity in the shadow of division, and the undeniable truth that the best response to hate is often simply to succeed. In 2025, a young Italian basketball team didn`t just win a title; they delivered a powerful lesson on the court, reminding us all that true character shines brightest when it`s under pressure, especially from those who seek to dim its light.
Murray Blackwood