The Italian senior women’s national basketball team wrapped up its latest stretch of international preparation ahead of the FIBA Women’s World Cup by dropping a tight 62-60 decision to reigning European champions Belgium at the Kortrijk Arena, according to reports from Lega Basket Femminile. Following the conclusion of these European tune-up fixtures, the Azzurre now turn their focus toward a series of high-level tests in France, starting with a clash in Paris, as outlined by coach Andrea Capobianco.
The upcoming Parisian friendly marks another vital checkpoint as Italy builds toward the upcoming global tournament in Berlin, scheduled for September 4 through 13. For the Italian program, this journey holds historic weight: the squad is returning to the FIBA Women’s World Cup stage after 32 years, having last appeared in the 1994 edition held in Australia.
Inside the Belgian Test: How the Azzurre Fared Abroad
In the recent 62-60 defeat to Belgium, the Azzurre experienced a difficult start after coach Capobianco adjusted his starting lineup by deploying Costanza Verona, Matilde Villa, Francesca Pan, Valeria Madera, and Lorela Cubaj. The Belgian defense imposed heavy pressure early, limiting Italy to just seven points in the opening period while the hosts posted 17. The deficit grew as high as 16 points before the intermission, with the scoreboard reading 36-22 at halftime alongside 10 Italian turnovers.
However, the visitors mounted a determined second-half response at the Kortrijk Arena. A 9-2 run out of the locker room forced a Belgian timeout, and subsequent scoring narrowed the margin significantly. Costanza Verona led the Italian offense with 12 points, while Ilaria Panzera contributed 11 and Matilde Villa added 10. A late four-point play by Panzera and driving baskets from Villa pulled the Azzurre within striking distance, keeping the contest in doubt until the final buzzer.
Coach Capobianco’s Assessment and the Road Ahead
Reflecting on the physical nature of the tests against top-tier global competition, coach Capobianco emphasized the relentless effort required from his squad. According to statements published by Lega Basket Femminile, the technical staff views these encounters as essential proving grounds against the elite of international basketball.
«It is normal that, to compete with the top 15 teams in the world—and we are the sixteenth—we must be good at not playing a single possession below 100 percent,» Capobianco noted regarding the demanding standards of the World Cup preparation phase. «If we manage to take the field with this spirit, thanks to the work we always do in the gym and to these girls who are training in an incredible way, I think we can have fun.»
The preparation schedule has already taken the team through intense training blocks and transit stops across Venice, Trento, and Rome’s Acqua Acetosa facility, interspersed with friendlies against China. Now, attention shifts entirely to the French capital.
What Comes Next in the Paris Schedule
In Paris, the Azzurre face their next major litmus test against the French national team. This matchup opens a two-game series in France—with the second fixture scheduled for the following day—designed to test Italy’s tactical discipline and defensive rotations against another continental powerhouse before the team finalizes its preparations for Berlin.
