Italy qualified this Sunday for the Women’s Basketball World Cup Germany 2026 by beating Spain, also qualified for the world championship, 56-68, in the Pre-World Cup Tournament taking place in Puerto Rico.
Supported by 22 points by Cecilia Zandalisinithe Italian squad joins the Spanish and the United States as the three nations from Group A of the World Cup that qualified for the World Cup that will take place next September in the German capital of Berlin.
The Spanish and Italians started the match quite evenly, with several ties, until a field goal by Cecilia Zandalisini and a triple by Laura Speafrico put Italy up 15-10, although later the Spanish center Megan Gustafson scored a triple to close the first period and bringing the score closer to 13-15.
That advantage of only two goals, however, Italy extended it to 11 points (17-28), after a basket by Sara Madera.
Spain recovers, although it falls again
However, Spain shortened that advantage to just two with a Awa Fam triple and a 0-9 advance and close the partial 26-28. Opening the second half of the challenge, the Spanish resumed the game 29-28 thanks to a triple by Elena Buenavida opening the quarter.
The Spanish continued to dominate the match until they had a good advantage of six points after a Gustafson triple with a score of 36-30.
Zandalasini puts his team on his back
Italy, however, responded a while later with a basket of Zandalisini who put them up 40-41which led Spanish coach Miguel Méndez to take time with 3:27 left in the quarter.
And although Spain managed to tie the score at 41-41 thanks to a free throw from Aina Ayuso, Italy was able to overcome this with several free throws that led them to close the third period with a score of 43-47.
And although Spain held on to the game, the losses were a constant drain. Méndez’s team suffered up to 25, who saw how Italy scored in dribs and drabs, but the inability to do damage in attack made the final difference unattainable, especially with the good stretch of Zandalasini.
The Pre-World Tournament will conclude next Tuesday. That day Italy will play against Senegal, Spain against the United States and Puerto Rico against New Zealand.
