PIRAEUS (Greece) - Italy put three decades of disappointment behind them by punching their ticket to the Semi-Finals of FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025.
Their dramatic overtime win against Türkiye in the Quarter-Finals was a headline-maker in every way possible and ended a drought stretching back to 1995. That year they didn't just make the last four of the competition, they made the title game and took the runners-up spot.
"We are dreaming and have been dreaming for so long."
With a clutch queen and deal-breaker Cecilia Zandalasini on board, Italy can afford themselves an opportunity to think about a repeat - even if having to go through reigning champions Belgium will be as challenging as it comes.
Whatever happens, their star baller has revealed how there is a cocktail of relief and belief cascading through their veins now they have buried their longstanding hurt. "In 30 years the Italian national team never made it to the Semi-Finals," declared Zandalasini.
"I don't know what is different this year - we are just believing it. We are tired of letting people down. This is also for ourselves - as well as for those who didn't believe in us. "This is a great, great group. I love this team and I think we deserved this spot and we fought so hard. I am just extremely proud."
Sat with a perfect four wins from four games, their flawless campaign was super-charged on their home floor in the group phase and it is a factor not lost on their team captain. "Bologna gave us the big push," smiled Zandalasini.
"It was amazing playing there and it was fundamental to get us getting these four wins."
Now the big question is whether Italy can kick on and add to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments ticket they've snapped up by adding a podium place. "We are dreaming and have been dreaming for so long," insisted Zandalasini. "We don't know what will happen, but for sure we will always dream. I am loving this journey and I want to continue it."
FIBA