A milestone that had been missing since 1995, when the Azzurre won the only European title in their history. Three decades later, Italian women's basketball is back to writing history. In Piraeus, coach Andrea Capobianco's girls beat Turkey 76-74 at the end of a tense match, decided only in overtime, and achieved qualification for the European Championship semifinals.
Friday, the challenge that is worth a place in the final against the winner of the quarter-final between Germany and Belgium, scheduled for Wednesday at 16.30.
A victory with enormous weight, not only for the value of the opponent, but for the maturity with which the Azzurre were able to react in the most difficult moments. The first, at the end of regulation time: up by two with a few seconds to go, Italy seemed to have the game in hand, but a ball lost by Keys opened the way to the equalizer for Uzun, glacial in beating the siren and sending the challenge to overtime.
There, when the pressure could crush, Italy responded with clarity and character. Cubaj carried the team on his shoulders with three key plays in the paint, Zandalasini scored the decisive basket with 16” to go. Then, in the last play, the defense completed the work: Turkey made a mistake and the Azzurri dream was able to take shape.
The game. Italy is better at the start, but the inertia changes in the second quarter, when McCowan speaks loudly under the basket and Zandalasini struggles to find space. At halftime the Turks are ahead (35-31), and at the start of the second half they even reach +9. But the Azzurre react: Verona, Cubaj and finally Zandalasini lead a partial of 10-0 that turns everything around. In the fourth quarter, overtaking and counter-overtaking alternate, until the mocking epilogue: Keys misses, Uzun ties, it goes to overtime.
In the extra five minutes, Cubaj dominates in one-on-one situations, Uzun tries to respond, but in the end the difference is made by talent and personality: Zandalasini punishes the Turkish defense, then, on the counterattack, the defense holds its ground and starts the party. A thrilling ending for a night destined to remain in the memory.
