The Italian women's basketball national team has secured a narrow 64-63 victory over reigning European champions Belgium in Kortrijk, marking a promising start to their World Cup preparations ahead of the tournament in Berlin in September 2026. The result offers a glimpse of both the team's potential and the challenges awaiting them in Germany.
Why This Matters
• Historic return: Italy will compete in the World Cup after a 32-year absence, facing top-tier opponents including the United States and China in Group D.
• Tactical preview: The friendly exposed Italy's strengths in defense and weaknesses when facing intense physical pressure—issues coach Capobianco must address before September 4, 2026.
• Youth integration: Vittoria Blasigh, making her senior debut, scored 10 points and hit consecutive three-pointers, signaling the depth of Italy's emerging talent pool.
Dominant Start, Nervous Finish
Italy's performance in Belgium unfolded in two distinct chapters. Coach Andrea Capobianco's squad stormed to a commanding 44-24 halftime lead, building their advantage through disciplined defensive rotations and efficient ball movement. The starting lineup of Villa, Pasa, Spreafico, Keys, and Cubaj established control early, with debutant Blasigh delivering back-to-back three-pointers to push the score to 18-12.
The cushion expanded to 30-12 before Belgium's coaching staff, led by American tactician Mike Thibault, made critical adjustments at the break. The hosts emerged with heightened defensive intensity in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 11 points and closing the period at 41-55. The final frame turned into a physical battle, with Belgium clawing closer through a three-point play by Joris and a triple from Claessens that made it 50-58.
With 2 minutes remaining, Ramette's basket brought Belgium within 3 points. Guard Costanza Verona—Italy's top scorer with 12 points—managed the tempo in the closing possessions, but it was Italy's defensive structure, rather than offensive flair, that ultimately preserved the win. The Italian squad forced contested shots and denied open looks, embodying the defensive identity Capobianco has cultivated over multiple tournaments.
What This Means for Italy's World Cup Campaign
The friendly against Belgium served as both validation and warning. Italy demonstrated the capability to dominate elite competition for extended stretches, but the late-game collapse highlighted vulnerabilities against physicality and sustained defensive pressure. Capobianco acknowledged these limitations candidly after the match.
"We played three and a half quarters at a very high level," the coach explained. "When the game became truly physical and every possession was contested to the limit, especially due to their defense, we encountered greater difficulties. We're not yet ready for contexts where basketball becomes this tough on every possession."
The challenge facing Italy is clear: they must maintain composure and ball movement when opponents escalate contact. In Berlin, Group D presents no margin for error. The Italian national team opens against the Czech Republic on September 4, 2026 at the Max-Schmeling-Halle, then faces the United States—the defending champions pursuing their fifth consecutive title—on September 6, 2026 at the Berlin Arena. The group stage concludes on September 7, 2026 against China, one of the tournament favorites and a finalist in the previous edition.
The tournament format rewards consistency. First-place finishers in each group advance directly to the quarterfinals, while second and third-place teams enter a qualification round. Fourth-place squads are eliminated. Italy's objective, as Capobianco has stated, is to "raise the bar even higher" and capitalize on every opportunity, knowing that top opponents punish mistakes ruthlessly.
Emerging Talent and Veteran Leadership
Vittoria Blasigh's performance offered one of the match's most encouraging storylines. The 22-year-old playmaker, who recently played collegiate basketball at Miami, transitioned seamlessly to the senior international level. Her consecutive triples in the first half helped establish Italy's rhythm, and her confidence never wavered despite the pressure of a senior debut.
"It was an incredible emotion for me, debuting with this squad where I've felt perfectly comfortable from the first day of camp," Blasigh said. "We had a very good first half, then dropped off a bit, but we're only at the beginning of the journey."
Costanza Verona, who officially joined the WNBA's Dallas Wings in April and made her league debut in June, continues to anchor Italy's backcourt. The 27-year-old guard from Schio brings championship pedigree from her club career—multiple Italian Cups and Scudettos with Famila Schio—and international experience from youth tournaments, including gold at the U20 European Championship in 2019. Her scoring touch and decision-making in crunch time remain essential to Italy's ambitions.
The roster largely mirrors the group that secured bronze at the European Championship in the preceding year, ensuring continuity and chemistry. Star forward Cecilia Zandalasini, currently competing with the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA, will join the team on August 29, adding another scoring dimension ahead of the World Cup.
Remaining Preparation Schedule
Italy's path to Berlin involves a tightly packed schedule designed to test various tactical scenarios. After the second friendly against Belgium on August 16, the squad relocates to Trento for a new training camp running from August 17 to 20. On August 21, they host China at the BTS Arena in Trento at 7:30 PM, followed by a closed-door scrimmage on August 22.
The team returns to Rome's Centro di Preparazione Olimpica dell'Acqua Acetosa on August 25 before traveling to Paris for back-to-back scrimmages against France on August 27 and 28. France, another World Cup contender, will provide a final high-level test before departure. Italy transfers to Berlin on September 1 for a week of acclimatization and final adjustments.
Italian residents can follow the team's progress through official coverage on RAI Sport and the Italian Basketball Federation's digital channels, with live updates available throughout the tournament.
The Road Ahead
Italy's narrow victory in Kortrijk reveals a team with genuine defensive resilience but incomplete readiness for sustained physical battles. The ability to protect a lead when opponents tighten their defensive grip and officials allow more contact will determine whether the Italian women's national team can advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 1994.
The World Cup runs from September 4-13, 2026, with Italy's group matches concentrated in the first three days. Every possession, every defensive rotation, and every composure test in the coming weeks will shape whether this generation of Italian players can deliver a memorable performance on the global stage—or whether the 32-year gap will extend further. For now, the win in Belgium offers cautious optimism and a clear roadmap for improvement.
