NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – The natural generational cycle of sport has been underlined emphatically at a compelling FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017.

At the heart of this has been a player who is surely on the path towards becoming an Italian legend, one of the best players in Europe and also on WNBA radar central.

Cecilia Zandalasini was on the watch-list of debutantes in the Czech Republic and has been the centerpiece of this category of players at the tournament with some sensational contributions.

Already saddled with the burden of expectation to become the driving force for Italy at just 21-years-old, she now finds herself with even more responsibility now that veteran star Laura 'Chicca' Macchi was KO’d with a broken jaw.

Now back in her homeland receiving medical care for a horrific injury which may well have brought the curtain down on her career, it is going to be largely down to Zandalasini to ensure that Italy's hopes of a place at the FIBA Women's World Cup 2018 don't go up in smoke as well.

Italy's main strength and hopes in this competition had been around a nice balance of experience and youth. With the painful and depressing loss of Macchi, the pendulum swings much more firmly in the court of Zandalasini who will do her best to continue shining more than even she could have surely imagined.

Everyone in Italian basketball is talking about a sense of déjà vu after Marzia Tagliamento sustained a serious injury at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship last year in Matosinhos and it was Zandalasini who went into spectacular overdrive.

She carried the team on her back and took them to the brink of the title against all the odds.

While only just falling short, her outrageously brilliant displays and not least the one against Spain in a memorable Final, led to her deservedly being crowned MVP.

To expect history to repeat itself in terms of the impact Zandalasini can have is not realistic. Or, is it? Such is her phenomenal talent, you would be foolish to dismiss the fairytale from happening.

Meanwhile, scratch beyond the surface of her headline-grabbing performances in Hradec Kralove and the Macchi injury and you have to hand credit for the way her entire game has evolved.

I did have some doubts earlier in her youth career about whether she was going to be a volume shooter – a player who might suffer from a lack of efficiency.

But, Zandalasini has taken her game to a new level – a new stratosphere. It isn't just about her prolific scoring ability any more. Her physical attributes are being put to wider use in terms of her hustle on defense, her rebounding and all-around presence.

That in itself is enough to be able to state that after just a couple of games at the highest level, Zandalasini has proved her class and is here to stay.

I just wish Macchi was still here too, because that could have been such a potent combination. Get well soon Laura and keep up the great work Cecilia.

Paul Nilsen

FIBA

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