Overview
- The knockout match kicks off Sunday at 4:30 a.m. (Argentina time) at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena, with TV on DSports and streaming on DGO.
- Argentina finished first in Group C after beating Finland, South Korea, and edging France 3-2, powered by 22 points from Luciano Vicentín and 17 from Luciano Palonsky.
- Italy advanced as Group F runner-up after a 3-0 win over Ukraine and arrives as the defending world champion under coach Ferdinando De Giorgi.
- Italian captain Simone Giannelli said Argentina is “a very strong” opponent as the Azzurri reset for the knockout phase.
- A volatile tournament has produced upsets including Brazil’s elimination by Serbia, and the winner of Argentina–Italy is slated to face Belgium or Finland in the quarterfinals.