BERLIN (Germany) - Sometimes, basketball puts you in a situation where you have to run for your life. Or, in this case, for your team's fate on the global stage, a stage Italy had been absent from for 32 years.
With 4.6 seconds on the shot clock and Andrea Capobianco unable to call another timeout to reflect, cool down and think about the final play of the game, Francesca Pasa had no choice but to sprint. And she had to be fast.
Following Isobel Borlase's 14th free throw of the night, with the Azzurre down 82-80 in the Qualification for the Quarter-Finals at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026, Italy's No. 6 had to go from one baseline to the other to keep the dream alive. As soon as she received the ball from Lorela Cubaj, she took off.
Costanza Verona offered herself as an option, while Cecilia Zandalasini rushed through the paint to clear space for her teammate as she approached the basket. Borlase couldn't keep up, and Pasa laid it off the backboard.
It was a matter of tenths of a second, but the ball began to dance around the rim. For an agonizing instant, it even flirted with the net. Basketball can be brutal, and Pasa's attempt became Italy's last shot at the FIBA WWC.
The whole Berlin Arena was in shock. Even the Australian Opals couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
What made such an ending particularly merciless was the fact that it wasn't even supposed to happen.
Indeed, Australia had everything under control heading into the final 10-minute chapter of this matchup against the Azzurre. With three minutes to go, Sandy Brondello's team had built a 26-point lead (64-38). Quite a lot.
However, if there is one thing Italy have been teaching the world over the past year and a half — first by going all the way to a long-awaited bronze medal at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 and then by competing at the highest level in Berlin — it's that they never give up on their dreams. This game was no different.
After 27 minutes of frustration and disagreements throughout the Azzurre's rotations, Italy produced an almost perfect ending built on increased physicality and trust in each other. A return to their elite defense.
"We couldn’t go out like that. We told ourselves that we had to give everything we had. We’ve always played with pride and honored the jersey, but at the start of the game that wasn't the case. Our goal was to leave the court with our heads held high," Italy's captain, Olbis Andre, said in the mixed zone after the loss.
Step by step, Andrea Capobianco's team fought their way back into the game. Chloe Bibby's effort with four minutes to play, restoring Australia's double-figure lead, could have been the killer blow. But Italy fought back.
They entered the game shooting a poor 16.3% from three-point range and continued to struggle from deep, but Zandalasini stepped up from beyond the arc. Verona followed with a magic reverse layup, and on the defensive end, the whole Italian national team came together. It was a completely different game.
1:09. Verona let it fly. Swish. 77-77, and everybody was on their feet in an ecstatic Berlin Arena. A pretty iconic way to spend your Wednesday night in the German capital — witnessing basketball history being written right in front of you.
Zitina Aokuso powered Australia's response, and Alex Wilson followed at the charity stripe after Zandalasini's house specialty, the fadeaway jumper, failed to find the mark. That's when another miracle happened, as Vittoria Blasigh, the newest face in town, banked one in from way downtown.
"I wanted to win; I wanted to bring it home. I wanted to give my best for the team and for my teammates. I didn't have anything to lose, and I let it fly. It went in."
"Vittoria [Blasigh] was absolutely fantastic. She’s an incredible shooter. She’s very young, but she has such a beautiful touch," Verona proudly said of her teammate in the post-game press conference.
"We were trying to give her confidence, and every time she came onto the court, we told her, ‘Shoot,’ because I think she has a unique release. She has shown so much confidence and fearlessness."
"We’re all very happy and proud to have had her with us on the team. She never took a step back, so I have to say she was truly fantastic. I’m very proud of her," the Italian point guard added.
You already know how the game ended, with Italy's heart shattered into thousands of pieces. But what's even more painful is that the tears rolling down the Azzurre's faces were the result of a crazy week that had already delivered another dramatic night for Italian women's basketball.
The last time USA faced Italy was just a few months ago, back in San Juan for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament. It ended in a 34-point blowout, with Italy conceding 93 points.
Moving from the Caribbean to Central Europe, the American national team found themselves facing the Great Wall of Italy: 15-of-44 from two-point range, 1-of-12 from deep and 14 turnovers. Kara Lawson's team ended up scoring just 55 points, their lowest-scoring game since 1971. Basically, the perfect opportunity to write history.
Instead, Italy once again lacked the focus to execute the smallest details, and they couldn't fully ride the wave of momentum, even as both Zandalasini and Matilde Villa were riding high.
It was the night when Caitlin Clark was held to a single point, all of it coming from the free-throw line, while going 0-of-6 from the field. It was the night when the world discovered the rollercoaster of emotions - and the incredible affection for this team - of Coach Capobianco, who truly behaves like a father figure to the entire 12-player roster.
But, one way or another, it was another night when history was almost written. Just three days apart, the endings were remarkably similar: the underdogs flirting with the unthinkable, but ultimately falling just short.
Inevitably, the huge amount of energy spent playing the perfect game against USA had to go somewhere - and very little of it was left on the court against China. That was the night when Italy never stood a chance at the FIBA WWC.
After beating Czechia on Friday night to start their Group D campaign on a positive note, despite a difficult opening against the backdrop of Italy's long-awaited return to the world stage, the rollercoaster began to pick up speed.
Italy's FIBA WWC return can hardly be described as boring or uneventful. In fact, there was probably too much going on for a group that still needs plenty of time to grow. Or, as Capobianco put it, to work on the details.
"I really hope that everyone brings home something important, and that is this understanding of the importance of taking care of the details," the Italian national team's head coach said.
If you give the ball away cheaply, it’s not true that it doesn’t matter. It’s a big problem because that’s four points: I give them two and take two away from myself.
"That’s something we need to take with us. If we want to improve and, one day, try to beat these teams, we have to take care of these things. And we only do that when we truly become aware of these problems."
From the team's leader, Cecilia Zandalasini, to the newest arrival, Vittoria Blasigh. From the team's captain, Olbis Andre, who stepped up after the injury to Laura Spreafico, to Matilde Villa, finally shining under the brightest lights. From Costanza Verona's electric energy to Lorela Cubaj's protection of the glass. And the list could go on and on.
At the FIBA WWC in Berlin, Italy may have dreamed big only to experience a nightmare - not once against USA, but twice, as they were eliminated from the Top 8 by the Australian Opals.
But the message is already clear: the Azzurre are coming for revenge, and they are already picking up the pieces of their broken hearts. Time to put the puzzle back together and get back to work.
FIBA