italy Falls to Belgium in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Semifinal
Table of Contents
- italy Falls to Belgium in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Semifinal
- Close Game Ends in Disappointment for Italy
- Bronze Medal Match Against France
- Coach and Player reactions
- Italy Secures Spot in Pre-World Tournament
- Game Highlights: Italy vs. Belgium
- Italian National Team roster
- The Rise of Women’s Basketball in Italy
- Frequently Asked Questions About FIBA Women’s EuroBasket
women's basketball team narrowly lost to Belgium 64-66 in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 semifinal. They will now compete for the bronze medal against France.">
The Italian women’s national basketball team’s quest for gold at the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 was cut short after a narrow 64-66 defeat to Belgium in the semifinal. Despite a valiant effort, the Italian squad, led by coach Andrea Capobianco, couldn’t overcome the reigning European champions. The team will now compete for the bronze medal against France.
Close Game Ends in Disappointment for Italy
The game was tightly contested throughout, with Italy holding their own for the entire 40 minutes. however, Belgium’s strong performance in the final moments proved decisive. Lorel Cubaj stood out for Italy,recording a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Cecilia Zandalinsini and Martina Fassina also contributed with 11 points each.
Did You Know? Italy’s appearance in the EuroBasket semifinal was their first in 30 years.
Bronze Medal Match Against France
italy will face France in the bronze medal match. France lost their semifinal match against Spain with a score of 64-65. The bronze medal game is scheduled for Sunday.
Pro Tip: Italy needs to focus on defensive rebounds and limiting turnovers to secure a victory against France.
Coach and Player reactions
Following the game, FIP President Giovanni Petrucci expressed his pride in the team, stating, “Very good girls. Moving! The future is ours!”. Coach Capobianco acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but praised his team’s effort and dedication throughout the tournament. Costanza Verona acknowledged the bitterness of the loss but emphasized the importance of focusing on winning the bronze medal. Jasmine Keys expressed frustration with the team’s slow start in the game.
Italy Secures Spot in Pre-World Tournament
Despite the semifinal loss,Italy has secured a spot in the pre-world tournament,scheduled for march 2026.This tournament will determine qualification for the FIBA World Cup, which will be held in Germany. Eight European teams will participate in the pre-world tournament.
Currently, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany (as the host country), Czechia, and Hungary have qualified. The final spot will be determined by a match between Lithuania and Türkiye.
Game Highlights: Italy vs. Belgium
Italy started strong, with an early lead thanks to key plays from Verona, Pasa, Zandalasini, Keys, and Cubaj.However, Belgium responded, and the game remained close throughout the first half. Belgium gained momentum in the second quarter, taking a notable lead.Despite being down by 14 points in the third quarter, Italy mounted a remarkable comeback, led by fassina. However, a late three-pointer from Belgium’s Delaere ultimately sealed the victory for the reigning champions.
| Statistic | Italy | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 64 | 66 |
| Top Scorer | Lorel Cubaj (13) | [Source Needed] |
| rebounds | [Source Needed] | [Source Needed] |
| Assists | [Source Needed] | [Source Needed] |
The final score was Italy-Belgium 64-66 (20-17, 13-23, 10-17, 21-9).
Italian National Team roster
| Number | Name | Year | Height (m) | Role | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Elisa Penna | 1995 | 1.90 | A | Umana Reyer Venice |
| 3 | Costanza Verona | 1999 | 1.70 | P | Famila Schio |
| 9 | CECILIA Zandalinsini | 1996 | 1.85 | A | Golden State Valkyries |
| 11 | Francesca Pan | 1997 | 1.80 | G | Human Venice |
| 13 | Lorel Cubaj | 1999 | 1.92 | C | Human Venice |
| 14 | Sara wood | 2000 | 1.87 | A-C | The Molisana Campobasso |
| 18 | ‘Mariella Santucci | 1997 | 1.70 | P | Human Reyer Venice |
| 19 | Martina Fassina | 1999 | 1.82 | G | Human Venice |
| 22 | Oil Futo Ander | 1998 | 1.92 | C | Famila Schio |
| 23 | Laura Spreafico | 1991 | 1.82 | G-A | Geas Sest S.John |
| 99 | Stefania Trimboli | 1996 | 1.75 | P | The Molisana Campobasso |
The Rise of Women’s Basketball in Italy
Women’s basketball in Italy has seen significant growth in recent years, with increased participation and improved performance on the international stage. The national team’s recent success in the EuroBasket tournament reflects this progress.
Historical Context
Italy has a rich history in women’s basketball, with the national team achieving notable results in past European championships and world Cups. The current team aims to build on this legacy and inspire future generations of Italian basketball players.
Frequently Asked Questions About FIBA Women’s EuroBasket
- What is FIBA women’s EuroBasket?
- FIBA Women’s EuroBasket is a biennial international women’s basketball championship contested by the national teams of Europe.
- How often is the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket tournament held?
- The tournament is held every two years.
- which countries typically participate in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket?
- All European countries that are members of FIBA are eligible to participate.
- What are the benefits of participating in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket for the teams?
- Participating in the tournament provides teams with the opportunity to compete against top-level competition, improve their world ranking, and qualify for other major international tournaments such as the Olympic Games and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
- How can fans watch the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket games?
- Games are typically broadcast on television and streamed online through various sports networks and the FIBA website.
What are yoru thoughts on Italy’s performance in the eurobasket tournament? Can they bounce back and win the bronze medal against France? Share your predictions in the comments below!
