The dream of the final for the Italian women's basketball team fades away at the most beautiful moment. In Piraeus, in the semifinal of the European Championship, the Azzurre lose 66-64 to Belgium after a spectacular comeback in the last quarter that had even put them back in front with just a few minutes to go. A bitter ending, decided by a triple by Delaere with 18 seconds to go, but that does not erase a courageous and high-quality performance against the reigning European champions.
For Italy, this is a historic achievement: the continental semifinals were missing for thirty years, and the journey is not over yet. On Sunday at 16:30 (Italian time), again in Piraeus, Capobianco's girls will challenge France in the final for third place. An important opportunity to return to winning a European medal, absent since 1995.
The match. Italy starts strong and closes ahead in the first quarter (20-17), then suffers Belgian pressure in the two central periods, slipping to -14. It seems over, but in the last quarter the Azzurre raise the intensity and place a partial of 15-0, with Fassina, Pan and Cubaj protagonists. With four minutes to go Italy is ahead by three, then the Belgians overtake in the final sprint. The best Italian scorer is Cubaj (13 points and 10 rebounds), double figures also for Zandalasini and Fassina.
In any case, Italy has already booked its place in the 2026 pre-World Cup tournament.
Italy-Belgium 64-66
Italy: Keys 4, Pasa, Verona 6, Zandalasini 11, Pan 6, Cubaj 13, Madera, Santucci 6, Fassina 11, Andre 4, Spreafico 3, Trimboli. Coach Capobianco
Belgium: Ramette ne, Claessens 5, Delaere 8, Meesseman 15, Linskens 8, Mununga 2, Massey ne, Vervaet ne, Lisowa 2, Vanloo 15, Allemand 11, Joris ne. Coach Thibault
Partials: 20-17; 33-40; 43-57
