Italian basketball coach Paolo Galbiati is set to return to the international stage, joining the senior national team as an assistant coach, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
Galbiati, who was dismissed by Baskonia last month, will work under head coach Luca Banchi for the upcoming FIBA qualifying windows for the 2027 World Cup.
Galbiati’s return comes as he awaits another head coaching opportunity, stepping back into a role he previously held with the national team between 2021 and 2022, which included a stint at the Tokyo Olympics.
Galbiati will reunite with Banchi, a coach with whom he shares a long professional history. The two worked together during the 2017-2018 season when Galbiati served as Banchi’s assistant at Auxilium Torino before taking over the head coaching role himself. Their collaboration resumes as Italy prepares for critical World Cup qualifiers.
Their professional paths have intersected multiple times. Galbiati was among the candidates to replace Peppe Poeta as head coach of Armani Milan, but the club ultimately chose Banchi. The decision was reached after an agreement with the Italian Basketball Federation allowed Banchi to continue his duties with the national team while also coaching Milan.
Former Baskonia head coach Paolo Galbiati is set to return to the Italian national team 🇮🇹 More about it: https://t.co/UNWvftEcCS pic.twitter.com/U5uotI0r8M
Italy’s next matches will determine their standing. They will face Turkey in Rome on November 26 and then travel to Belgrade to play Serbia on November 29. The top teams in each group earn direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
The group standings are tight, with Turkey already qualified after winning all eight of its games. Serbia holds the second spot with six wins, while Italy has five and Lithuania has four. With four games remaining in the phase, Italy’s position on the podium is not yet secure.
While he works with the national team, Galbiati continues to seek a new head coaching position.
Spagnolo, who helped Baskonia win the Copa del Rey in February, will now work alongside Galbiati as Italy aims to secure its spot in Qatar.
Italy’s qualifying campaign is at a critical juncture. With four games left, every match affects their qualification chances. Securing a top-three finish is the immediate goal to ensure qualification for the 2027 World Cup. The team’s performance in these final windows will determine its fate.
The competition is fierce. Serbia and Turkey have already demonstrated their strength, and Lithuania remains a contender.
The national team’s immediate focus is on the November qualifiers. After facing Turkey and Serbia, the team will have a clearer picture of its standing in the group. The results of these matches will heavily influence their strategy for the remaining games in the qualifying phase.
For Galbiati, this assignment marks his return to professional basketball after leaving Baskonia.
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