Marco Crespi took over as the women's national team's national team captain in the autumn of 2019.
Before that, he coached the Italians, who Sweden will meet tonight.
And once again, Crespi flags that it will be a tough task for the Swedes.
- Italy is better than us, it's no joke.
They challenge for the medals, which we do not.
But we love being underdogs in this match, he says.
What then does Sweden have to do to have a chance?
- We must be more aggressive with all five players.
In yesterday's match we were a little too predictable.
Our players must be ready and have an active body language, says Marco Crespi, who says that it will be a difficult meeting - emotionally.
- It is a special situation, but I want to keep it to myself.
It's clear that it affects me.
I'm an emotional person, so it's more than a special match, says Crespi with tears in his eyes.
"Know them inside and out"
Kalis Loyd, who on a daily basis represents the French club Toulouse Metropole Basket, has previously played in Italy.
She believes that it could be a Swedish advantage with the Italian Crespi's past in the Italian women's national team.
- I would say that.
He knows them inside out.
But we go into this match with the same attitude.
It is a team and we will do everything to win.
- They are good, it is a good basketball nation.
We probably have some small tips and tricks that we will try to stop them with, says 32-year-old Loyd to SVT Sport.
Tonight's round of 16 final will be broadcast from 5.50 pm on SVT Play.