The Italian wheelchair basketball team secured a historic silver medal at the 2026 World Championships in Ottawa, Canada, after falling 57-81 to Australia in the final, according to reports from Italian media outlets including La Repubblica. While the gold medal went to the Australian Rollers for the third time in their history, the tournament marked the first time the Italian national team has ever climbed a world championship podium, surpassing their previous best result of fourth place set in 2010.
How Australia Controlled the World Championship Final
The Australian side relied on a standout performance from Brown, who scored 28 points according to OA Sport (noted as 26 points by La Repubblica) to earn game MVP honors. For Italy, captain and ala-centro Filippo Carossino of Unipol Briantea84 Cantù led the scoring with 16 points.
A Memorable Run Through Global Powerhouses
Before stumbling in the title game, head coach Carlo Castellucci’s squad put together an undefeated run through the tournament that exceeded pre-competition projections, according to OA Sport. The Azzurri secured statement victories during group play, including a win over reigning world champions the United States, followed by a semifinal triumph over Great Britain, a traditional powerhouse in the international movement, as detailed by La Repubblica.
The Roster Behind Italy’s Historic Podium Finish
Alongside captain Carossino, the squad features starting center Giulio Maria Papi of Dinamo Lab Sassari, who served as a primary offensive option alongside club teammate Simone De Maggi, according to La Repubblica. The lineup also includes power forward Andrea Giaretti, guard-alas Ahmed Raourahi and Driss Saaid, Enrico Ghione, and Alessandro Sbuelz. Playmaking duties were handled by Joel Boganelli, Alessandro Pedron, and Gabriel Benvenuto, with Luigi Topo rounding out the exterior rotation.
Although the final match ended in defeat, the tournament represents a watershed moment for Italian wheelchair basketball, establishing the program among the global elite after decades of chasing the sport’s top tier.
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