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Ball Don't Lie

Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:20 pm EDT

Video: Canada, Italy basketball 'friendly' turns ugly

By J.E. Skeets

A bench-clearing brawl erupted between Canada and Italy during an exhibition basketball "friendly" in Conegliano, Italy on Saturday. The fight started when Italian Stefano Mancinelli clobbered the pride and joy of Napanee, Ontario — sorry, Avril — Aaron Doornekamp in the back of the head during the second half.

If none of that sounds overly exciting, well, just watch the elbow — it's a vicious cheap shot. Also, keep an eye for Italian Toronto Raptors, Andrea Bargnani(notes) and Marco Belinelli(notes), who attempt to play the role of Bono.

From what I've read, it was a "chippy" game from the opening tip. But aggressive play or not, there is absolutely no excuse for Mancinelli's actions. I'd be amazed if FIBA doesn't suspend him for several games, if not indefinitely, from international play. You can't punch people in the back of the head in UFC, let alone an exhibition basketball game. Fortunately, Doornekamp didn't sustain any serious injuries.

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41 Comments

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  1. AllThatJazz
    1. Posted by AllThatJazz Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    as a proud canadian, it hurts my pride that Aaron got punked like that. as an observer, this looks like a rematch of 2nd tier nations involved in WWII.
  2. KD
    2. Posted by KD Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    How dare Doornekamp briefly brush hips with Mancinelli.
  3. cool
    3. Posted by cool Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:46 pm EDT

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    Hahahaha pwned
  4. JB
    4. Posted by JB Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:56 pm EDT

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    yeah rematch from WWII. fascist Italy vs Allied forces supporter Canada. lol
  5. KneeJerkNBA
    5. Posted by KneeJerkNBA Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:02 pm EDT

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    Bet Mancinelli wouldn't do that to Oakley or Artest.
  6. flipp
    6. Posted by flipp Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:06 pm EDT

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    Bertuzzi!
  7. Coach Isiah Thompson
    7. Posted by Coach Isiah Thompson Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:10 pm EDT

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    If you accidentally hit someone in the head during a bench clearing brawl, it's very dangerous because in the head is the brain!
  8. Ron Burgundy
    8. Posted by Ron Burgundy Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:47 pm EDT

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    well said coach isiah thompson, "because in the head is the brain" indeed.
  9. Ron Burgundy
    9. Posted by Ron Burgundy Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:47 pm EDT

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    well said coach isiah thompson, "because in the head is the brain" indeed.
  10. Mike Santa Barbara
    10. Posted by Mike Santa Barbara Sun Aug 02, 2009 11:56 pm EDT

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    Vai Italia!!!!
  11. mysteakhouse
    11. Posted by mysteakhouse Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:27 am EDT

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    What's worst is after he (Mancinelli) cheap shot the man behind the head than he jumped on the guy while he's down on the floor.....Imo, he should be suspended indefinitely, cause that was vicious and low.....
  12. jeezee10
    12. Posted by jeezee10 Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:31 am EDT

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    Man, that cheap shot was really uncalled for! And to think they are the host!
  13. James R
    13. Posted by James R Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:51 am EDT

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    haha fp.good one
  14. hey man
    14. Posted by hey man Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:02 am EDT

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    cheap shot...
    check out my blog
    lakerstraffic.blogspot.com
  15. krnballer824
    15. Posted by krnballer824 Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:17 am EDT

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    that's a disgrace to true basketball fans
    no room for that
    deserves to never play again
  16. Julie H
    16. Posted by Julie H Mon Aug 03, 2009 3:26 am EDT

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    And Kobe is still free after raping that girl. Horrible
  17. JACK ACE
    17. Posted by JACK ACE Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:27 am EDT

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    Thats why the lakers are a class act!! because they would never have anybody in their roster that has been involved in any type of brawl like in that video...
    wait,give me a minute to confirm that....
  18. Robert
    18. Posted by Robert Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:57 am EDT

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    Julie H, stop barking on Kobe. Do you really believe there was a rape? Testimonies after testimonies show no rape happened. Wake up and live normally.
  19. BigBen1978
    19. Posted by BigBen1978 Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:01 am EDT

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    Where's Joel Anthony, Jamaal Magloire and Samuel Dalembert when you need them. It's funny how international players don't respect anyone except those with NBA contracts. I can't wait to hear what Gherardini (or something like that will say about this, because he's probably the one who planned the game).
  20. BandilaFilipino
    20. Posted by BandilaFilipino Mon Aug 03, 2009 11:52 am EDT

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    Its funny that the ref just called foul after the dude elbowed him at the back of his head and didn't try to separate them immediately until he started gunning him again on the floor.
  21. SCSF- LeBron NBA Finals Winless t-shirt ebay
    21. Posted by SCSF- LeBron NBA Finals Winless t-shirt ebay Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:01 pm EDT

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    Mancinelli is a bum not a player lets see how many nba stars are wanting to play in the euro trash league now.....
    Marbury next stop Euro....
  22. QuAzY
    22. Posted by QuAzY Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    Well that guy should join WWE with Shaq, i don't think he's fit to play basketball ... what a freaking loser!!!!
  23. peter
    23. Posted by peter Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    nothin out of the norm it happens alot in european basketball unlike the nba, he be banned for a few games no big deal
  24. HAHA
    24. Posted by HAHA Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:29 pm EDT

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    Why bag on the Lakers?

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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