Italy narrowly misses upset but exits Women's Basketball World Cup as Australia advances to quarterfinals
BERLIN (GERMANY) - Italy bids farewell to the Women's World Cup. Coach Capobianco's Azzurre were defeated by Australia in the playoff match for a place in the tournament's quarterfinals. The Australians secured their advancement with a final score of 83-81. Italy exits to applause and with deep regret; after trailing by 26 points, Verona and her teammates staged an exceptional final quarter. A decisive mistake by Francesca Pasa in the closing moments, sending the ball off the rim for a tying shot, ultimately sealed their fate.
Italy Hampered by an Unfortunate Schedule
The loss to Australia signifies the Azzurre's elimination, a result partly attributable to a particularly challenging schedule. Coach Capobianco's team faced the number one ranked FIBA team, the United States, followed by China (ranked 4th) and Australia (ranked 3rd). This arduous path ultimately led to their exit.
Australia Dominates the First Three Quarters
Australia, led by Borlase and Talbot, delivered an exceptional first quarter, establishing a thirteen-point lead (26-13). The second quarter was more balanced, with Italy significantly improving their shooting accuracy, scoring 20 points (compared to Australia's 22). The second half began with a short run (8-3) by the Australians, extending their lead to +20. Just as the game seemed decided, the Azzurre, driven by Verona and Andre, rediscovered their momentum and precision. At the start of the final quarter, they orchestrated an extraordinary comeback. With a 23-8 run, Italy narrowed the gap to -5 (72-77) with 3 minutes and 13 seconds remaining, and remarkably, tied the game at 77-77 with a stunning triple from Verona just 1 minute and 9 seconds from the buzzer.
Italy Inches Away from a Sensational Comeback
Australia missed a three-point attempt, and Verona drove aggressively for a solo layup, but failed to secure the lead. Aokuso put Australia back in front (77-79) with 24 seconds left. However, Italy, regaining possession, attempted to seize the lead: Zandalasini's shot hit the rim three times. The Azzurre stopped the clock with a foul, sending Wilson to the free-throw line, where she made both shots (77-81). Blasigh sank a deep three-pointer from nearly nine meters, bringing Italy within one point (80-81) with 4 seconds remaining. Another immediate foul sent Borlase back to the line; she missed her first shot but made the second, bringing the score to 83-81, but crucially giving Italy the final possession. Francesca Pasa took matters into her own hands and with a strong solo drive, went for a layup close to the basket. However, her attempt bounced off the rim and went out of bounds. This was the final dramatic moment of an epic contest, which saw Italy exit with their heads held high, but with immense disappointment from the World Cup.
