Italy vs Iceland FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers How To Watch

• → Game to take place at the Nova Arena (Cittadella dello Sport), Tortona on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 20:00 Local Time (CET)
• → Form check: Italy exited EuroBasket 2025 in the Round of 16 after a competitive loss to Slovenia, with Simone Fontecchio leading their scoring through the tournament; the Azzurri now lean on a deep, Europe-based core for this window. Iceland returned to EuroBasket for a third time and battled hard in Group D, highlighted by Tryggvi Hlinason’s interior production and Martin Hermannsson’s playmaking.
• → Context: First window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers, Group D (Italy, Iceland, Lithuania, Great Britain). These nations have split a handful of recent qualifier meetings - this opener should frame the group pecking order early.

The Luca Banchi era starts in Tortona

New cycle, familiar backbone. Luca Banchi’s first roster is unmistakably European-club heavy and defensively flexible. Expect ball security and tempo control from Stefano Tonut and Leonardo Candi, with Amedeo Della Valle and John Petrucelli supplying off-ball gravity and pressure defense.

On the wings, Gabriele Procida brings vertical pop and slashing, while the frontcourt rotates size and touch through Amedeo Tessitori and youngsters Luca Vincini and Sasha Grant.

Stylistically, Banchi tends to value structure that frees multiple decision-makers. Look for early “77” (double-drag) to bend the first line of defense, Spain pick-and-rolls to create corner threes for shooters, and elbow touches that let Procida attack closeouts. The possession game matters most: Italy should aim to win turnovers and the defensive glass, then manufacture quality threes rather than volume.

Iceland looking to repeat EuroBasket qualifiers Upset

Craig Pedersen’s group knows exactly who they are: organized, connected, and stubborn on the glass. Tryggvi Hlinason anchors the paint, screening, rim protection, and offensive rebounding, while guards Elvar Fridriksson and Jón Axel Guðmundsson toggle between on-ball creation and pace management. With Martin Hermannsson as a secondary engine and Þórir Þorbjarnarson spacing the floor, Iceland’s halfcourt relies on precise timing rather than isolation.

To hang in Tortona, they’ll try to slow Italy’s rhythm, milk empty-corner pick-and-rolls to pull help off the corners, and ride Hlinason’s second-chance work. If they can keep the game in the 60s/low 70s and turn it into a late-clock shot-making contest, the upset door stays ajar.

How to watch Italy vs Iceland

Stream Italy vs Iceland live from the Nova Arena on Courtside 1891 and pick the Max Event Pass for this event window or go Max Annual for year-round access to the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers and other FIBA competitions. Regional availability and blackouts may apply.