The Italian national women’s basketball team drew nearly 2,600 spectators to the PalaTerni on Wednesday, marking the first time the city has hosted an official match for the senior national side.
The inaugural appearance of the Azzurre in Terni resulted in a 67-62 victory against Slovenia during the opening round of the Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers.
Following the match, the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro (FIP) issued a formal note of appreciation to the city for the support shown to the team. The federation said that while some cities host matches, Terni demonstrated a unique level of engagement by supporting the players throughout the more difficult phases of the game, UmbriaON reported.
The event at the PalaTerni represented a milestone for the city, which had never previously hosted a senior national basketball fixture. Federation officials highlighted the atmosphere created by the local crowd, stating that the connection between the city and the team was immediate.
“There are cities that host a match and cities that take the field together with the national team. Terni, Wednesday evening, did the second thing,” the FIP said in its official release. The federation also referenced the city’s patron saint, San Valentino, to describe the reception, noting that for the Italian women’s team and the city, “it was love at first sight.”
The match proved to be a challenging contest, with the Italian side securing a narrow five-point victory to begin their qualification campaign. Head coach Andrea Capobianco emphasized the impact of the fans on the team’s performance during the tight game.
“Extraordinary audience,” Capobianco said, according to the FIP statement. The federation highlighted how the local crowd integrated the city’s traditional rossoverde colors with the blue of the national team to create a unified presence in the stands.
The success of the debut event has led to positive feedback from the federation regarding the venue and the host city. In its closing comments, the FIP acknowledged the significance of the inaugural match, stating, “The first time is not forgotten. And this, for Italy, was really special.”
The victory against Slovenia provides Italy with an initial two points in the standings for the Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifying cycle. The team will continue its campaign in the upcoming international window as they look to secure a spot in the final tournament.
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