In a stunning turn of events at the FIBA World Cup, Italy's women's basketball team pushed the United States to the brink of an upset, coming within a single made basket of forcing overtime.
Cecilia Zandalasini was the engine of Italy's attack, delivering 14 points while orchestrating the offense with poise and precision.
The USA, which had not suffered a loss in the tournament since 2006, found themselves repeatedly stymied by Italy's disciplined defense, a performance that limited them to their lowest scoring output since 1984.
After the narrow miss that could have tied the game, Zandalasini spoke with palpable pride, declaring, "Italy will also be proud of us too… We waited 32 years to be here and we deserve to be here."
Defensive Masterclass
Italy's collective defensive strategy and palpable passion defined the contest, restricting the American scorers and showcasing a unity that transcended individual statistics.
The team's resilience was evident as they battled back from a late deficit, refusing to surrender despite the pressure of a potential overtime scenario.
With the game concluding in a hard‑fought defeat, Italy now turns its focus to the final Group D matchup against China, a contest that could secure a coveted spot in the tournament's Final phase.