BERLIN – In the second match of the FIBA Women's World Cup, which will be played in Berlin from September 4 to 13, the Italy women's team was defeated by the United States by a score of 52-55. Coach Capobianco's team suffered its first defeat, but thanks to China's 74-70 overtime victory over the Czech Republic today, they are already assured of a spot in the top three of Group D and therefore a place in the play-off scheduled for September 9th. Their opponents will be one of Belgium, Australia, Puerto Rico, or Turkey. The Azzurre fought on equal terms with the strongest team in the world. “We played a sensational match and played on equal terms against an incredible team – he declared coach Capobianco – I can only say thank you to this team because they're taking the women's movement to the next level. We came very close to winning, and there's still some work to do to improve. Now we'll study China and try to beat them, recharging our batteries with humility and an awareness of our strength.”.
Coach Capobianco didn't change his starting five (Verona, Villa, Zandalasini, Keys, Cubaj), and after making it 4-2 with two baskets from Keys, Italy managed to stay in touch with Team USA for most of the first quarter, despite their poor field goal percentages (3/12). The United States distributed playing time and responsibility evenly, and with the Stars and Stripes leading 17-8, none of Coach Lawson's players scored more than 2 points. At the start of the second quarter, the gap widened dangerously (-15), with the Azzurre struggling to find the time and space to create high-percentage opportunities. Then Cecilia came to the fore, following Olbis's three-point play, and the team was back to within 6 points. Zandalasini's third foul and the subsequent technical foul on Capobianco then partially slowed the Azzurri's momentum, but at halftime we were up 24-30, with our heads held high thanks to Andrè's block on Clark, despite having lost 12 balls in 20 minutes.
The third quarter dawned with a resounding +3 (35-32) thanks to Madera and Pasa, despite being 2-for-5 from the line. Italy played on par with the United States and sent the Berlin Arena into a frenzy. Bueckers's three-pointer tied the score at 39, and Boston's free throws put us within 3 (39-42) at the fourth quarter. We were there, head and heart, against the Olympic champions and winners of the last four World Cups.
Team USA regained a five-point lead thanks to a series of free throws, but Santucci and Pan immediately responded to restore the lead (46-44) with five minutes remaining. The Azzurri's final lead was 50-49, before Stewart's basket and the offensive foul (his fourth) called on Zandalasini. Villa responded to Gray's basket to bring the lead to 50-55, and Cecilia's three-pointer hit the rim on the final possession to send the Azzurri to overtime.
Italy-USA 52-55 (8-19, 16-11, 15-12, 13-13)
Italy: Keys* 4 (2/2), Villa* 6 (3/10), Pasa 4 (1/2, 0/1), Verona* 4 (1/4, 0/2), Zandalasini* 14 (4/7, 1/7), Pan 2 (1/2, 0/3), Cubaj* (0/3), Madera 2 (0/1, 0/1), Santucci 9 (1/3, 1/1), Fassina 2 (1/2), Andrè 5 (2/6), Blasigh (0/1). Coach: Capobianco
Use: Bueckers 7 (1/4, 1/1), Citron (0/1), Howard 2 (1/1, 0/2), Copper* 6 (0/2, 0/2), Gray* 4 (2/4, 0/1), Iriafen ne, Stewart* 5 (1/8, 0/1), Collier* 6 (2/4 0/1), Clark 1 (0/3, 0/3), Young* 10 (4/5, 0/1), Boston 6 (2/7), Reese 8 (2/5), All: Lawson
Two-pointers Italy 16/43, USA 15/44; Three-pointers Italy 2/15, USA 1/12; Free throws Italy 14/20, USA 22/30. Rebounds Italy 43 (Cubaj 9), USA 42 (Stewart 11). Assists Italy 11 (Cubaj, Verona 3), USA 11 (Young 3).
5 fouls out: None
Referees: Julio Anaya (Panama), Martin Vulic (Croatia), Cisil Gungor (Türkiye)
