A tactical breakdown of Italy’s defensive approach against Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025, focusing on the late-game “blitz” used to limit Luka Doncic’s pick-and-roll impact.
Early Phases – Doncic Dictates the Game
The matchup between Italy and Slovenia at EuroBasket 2025 started with Luka Doncic dominating both ends. In the opening possessions, Doncic intercepted two passes by anticipating Italy’s attempts to attack him directly. Offensively, he fired two deep threes—both misses—but quickly found his rhythm.
By the end of the first quarter, Doncic had scored 22 of Slovenia’s 29 points, proving almost unguardable. Italy, despite trying to move the ball with perimeter circulation and attacking via Spagnolo’s drives, closed the quarter down by 18 points.
Doncic finished secon quarter with 30 points (5/5 from two, 4/8 from three), carrying Slovenia’s offense almost single-handedly.
Italy’s Adjustments – Small Victories in Execution
Italy managed to chip away at the deficit through better execution:
- Backdoor cut by Fontecchio, perfectly timed against Slovenia’s overplay.
- Sideline inbound set, freeing Fontecchio for another easy basket.
- Niang’s energy in the fourth quarter, drawing five fouls in less than three minutes, including an unsportsmanlike foul after stealing the ball from Doncic.
These moments showed Italy’s resilience and their commitment to detail. Yet, each Italian run was often silenced by Doncic’s brilliance—such as his deep contested three over a double-team early in the third quarter.
The Key Tactical Shift – Italy’s Blitz on Doncic
With five minutes left, Italy introduced a decisive adjustment: the blitz (or trap) on Doncic’s pick-and-rolls.
What is the Blitz?
The blitz is an aggressive pick-and-roll coverage where both defenders (the on-ball defender and the screener’s defender) trap the ball handler immediately after the screen, forcing him to give up the ball under pressure.
How Italy Applied It:
- Every ball screen involving Doncic was immediately trapped.
- The weak-side rotations covered passing lanes, daring Slovenia’s role players to beat them.
- Doncic was forced to release the ball earlier, reducing his direct scoring impact.
The Result:
- Slovenia’s offense slowed, as Doncic’s teammates showed “human” shooting percentages compared to Luka’s elite shot-making.
- Italy cut the deficit to -1 (77–78) after Gallinari’s free throws and Niang’s follow-up at the line.
- Slovenia was forced into a timeout, during which Doncic was seen rallying his teammates, asking them to step up and take responsibility.
Why the Blitz Worked (and Its Limits)
The blitz worked because it:
- Took the ball out of Doncic’s hands.
- Forced secondary playmakers to initiate offense.
- Created tempo shifts that allowed Italy to run in transition.
However, the downside was clear:
- The rotations required enormous energy and focus.
- Once Slovenia settled after Doncic’s timeout speech, his teammates responded with timely baskets.
- Doncic, even against traps, still found ways to close the game with big plays.
Final score: Slovenia 84 – Italy 77.
Coaching Takeaways
For coaches, Italy’s late adjustment provides three lessons:
- Don’t wait too long to change coverage. The blitz only appeared in the final minutes, but it visibly disrupted Doncic’s rhythm.
- Blitzing is a calculated risk. It neutralizes elite creators but requires trust in team rotations and communication.
- Psychological factor. Even when Doncic was forced to pass, Slovenia’s role players initially hesitated—proof that great players can overshadow their teammates until prompted to step up.
For coaches at any level, the question is clear:
👉 When facing an unstoppable pick-and-roll creator, are you ready to take the risk of blitzing?
Italy’s choice shows that the blitz can turn the tide—even against one of the best players in the world. The challenge is balancing the risk of leaving shooters open with the reward of forcing the ball out of a superstar’s hands.