The Italy national basketball team, "Azzurri," is a historic European contender based in Rome and competes under the Italian Basketball Federation in FIBA competitions. The team's full identity is the Italian national basketball team, wearing the iconic azure blue jersey. Founded in the early 20th century, the team has called various arenas across Italy home, including the PalaLottomatica in Rome for major fixtures. The team's golden age came in the 1980s and 1990s, when stars like Dino Meneghin and later players such as Carlton Myers led Italy to a EuroBasket gold in 1983 and a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a legendary campaign engineered by coach Carlo Recalcati. The modern era, under coaches like Meo Sacchetti and Gianmarco Pozzecco, features a dynamic style with players like Simone Fontecchio and Nicolò Melli, aiming to return Italy to the podium after strong showings in recent EuroBasket tournaments. Italian basketball culture is fervent, with fans known for their vocal support and deep knowledge of the game. The Azzurri remain a respected and technically proficient force on the continental stage.