Italbasket Female Wins & Charms in Confrontation with Czech Republic
Ah, another thrilling chapter in the saga of women’s basketball, where the Italbasket Female team, under the expert guidance of maestro Andrea Capobianco, has once again waved their magic wand and put a resounding beating on the Czech Republic. Final score? A glorious 68-47. That’s right, it’s not just a victory; it’s a statement!
Now, let’s get this party started. The Azzurre already had their tickets for Eurobasket 2025, so this game was a little like a dessert before the main course – delightful but with no risk of ruining your appetite. And speaking of appetites, Italy is all set to host its first Women’s Eurobasket in 18 years! It’s about time we remind the world that while the pasta is al dente, so too is our basketball prowess!
The Match Breakdown: Quarter by Quarter
1Q: Italy 25 – 17 Czech Republic
Things kicked off with a little Czech surprise, 5-0, almost like a bad magic trick. But Italy quickly pulled it together; Zandalasini and André knocking down shots that would make a surgeon proud. A strong finish sent the first quarter off with a confident 25-17 score.
2Q: Italy 33 – 26 Czech Republic
In the second quarter, we witnessed a defensive showcase – or rather, a defensive nap – from both teams. André was the star, scoring like she was on a personal mission, leading into halftime with a score of 33-26. If only scoring points came with a side of espresso!
3Q: Italy 50 – 32 Czech Republic
Italy came out of the locker room ready to bury the hatchet, scoring like it was grocery day. The deficit widened, and by the end of the third, it was Italy 50, Czech Republic 32. I mean, if this were a dinner, the Czech team would be at the kids’ table!
4Q: Italy 68 – 47 Czech Republic
What did we learn in the fourth? That tired legs can move surprisingly fast when there’s pizza at stake! However, the Czech team didn’t quite have the stamina to keep up, and the Azzurre took it home with a comfortable 68-47. Cechova couldn’t find her three-point magic, and by the end, the Italian players were practically in their pajamas!
What’s Next for the Azzurre?
Next, they jet off to Greece to take on the hosts. Mark your calendars; they’ll be tipping off in Chalkida at a brisk 1:45 PM Italian time on November 10. Watching the women’s team is like watching a fantastic rom-com; you never know when you’ll burst out in applause!
Let’s recap some highlights; it wasn’t just Andre who delivered. Everyone got a touch of the scoring fireworks, but with Olbis Andre shining bright with her 10 points and 6 rebounds. It’s time we rename the team “Everybody Scores.”
Wrapping it up, Coach Capobianco put it best: the Azzurre will play solid, keep the turnovers low, avoid any “oops” moments, and show the Czech Republic that chess is best played on a board, not a basketball court.
The Importance of Eurobasket 2025
Oh, and let’s not forget that for the first time, the Women’s European Championship will strut its stuff across four countries – Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, and Germany. Talk about a Euro extravaganza – it’s like a Ladies’ Night, and everyone’s invited! Belgium will try to defend its title as reigning champion but, with Italy back on the map, it’s anyone’s game.
So, if you didn’t catch the match, don’t fret! Next time the Azzurre hop into the spotlight, make sure you’re there to cheer them on! Grab your gelato, sit back, and get ready to fall in love with women’s basketball all over again. After all, it’s more than a game; it’s a cultural event, and Italy does know how to throw a party!
Forza Azzurre!
© photo by Giorgio Scarfì | PB
L’Italbasket Femminile, under the astute leadership of coach Andrea Capobianco, delivered a convincing performance, securing a victory over the Czech Republic in their third match of Group I qualifying for Eurobasket 2025. Notably, the Azzurre have already secured their place in the tournament alongside Greece, the Czech Republic, and Germany, which will serve as the host country. This marks a significant return for Italy, poised to host a round of the Women’s European Championship for the first time in 18 years, last held in Abruzzo (Vasto, Lanciano, Ortona, Chieti). Overall, this will be the eighth instance of Italy hosting the event, surpassing other nations such as France with five editions and Hungary with four.
4Q 68-47 – The final quarter began with Reisingerova opening the scoring for the Czech team, but Panzera quickly replied with a basket after an offensive rebound. A successful shot from Arianna Arado prompted Czechia to call a timeout as they fell behind. Cechova countered with a basket, yet Panzera struck again, followed by a splendid mid-range shot from Costanza Verona, elevating Italy’s lead to +21. Vorackova then scored for 58-39 in the 35th minute, but Verona came alive with a three-pointer, followed by a remarkable coast-to-coast play, forcing another Czech timeout at 63-39 with only minutes remaining. In the final moments, Silvia Pastrello made her mark, scoring the last five points for the Azzurre, sealing the match at 68-47.
3Q 50-32 – The second half commenced with Fassina scoring, followed by Villa, establishing a 37-26 advantage. Zandalasini responded to Vyoralova’s effort, while Vorackova found the net again, but Villa ensured Italy maintained their lead. Martina Fassina hit two free throws, bringing their lead to +13. With just over four minutes left, Cechova cut Italy’s lead to 43-32. However, Olbis Andre intensified her game, contributing key points as Italy closed the third quarter on a high note. Francesca Pan added to the score right at the end, contributing to a 7-0 final run for Italy, ending the period at 50-32.
2Q 33-26 – The second quarter began slowly for both teams, with Cechova finally breaking the deadlock 1:30 in by correcting her own shot at 25-19. Keys expanded Italy’s lead to +8 before Pasa executed a masterful penetration move to push the score to 29-19 with over six minutes to play in the half. Although both teams struggled offensively thereafter, Olbis Andre showcased her skills by achieving a +12 lead for the Azzurre. Czechia’s Reisingerova managed to score, reducing Italy’s advantage to 31-21 in the 17th minute. Following a mini-break from Czechia, coach Capobianco called a timeout to address the 31-25 scoreline with 1:30 on the clock. Matilde Villa countered the run effectively, followed by Hamzova making 2/2 free throws. No further scoring occurred, leading to a 33-26 halftime score. Andre finished the half with 7 points and 4 rebounds, showcasing her impact alongside Zandalasini and Pan.
1Q 25-17 – The first quarter kicked off with Czechia swiftly taking a 5-0 lead courtesy of Stoupalova and Reisingerova. Italy bounced back, first with a transition basket by Fassina, followed by a three-pointer from Zandalasini to equalize at 5-5. Jasmine Keys added another three-pointer, but Reisingerova responded to keep Czechia close at 8-9 after three minutes. Andre scored, leading to another trey by Zandalasini, forcing a Czech timeout as Italy surged ahead to 15-9 halfway through the quarter. A brief scoring drought ensued until Andre drew fouls and calmly sank her free throws. Reisingerova finally found a basket for Czechia, but Pan extended Italy’s lead to 18-11. Czechia attempted another mini-break, but Madera answered back. Despite a few defensive lapses by Italbasket, Pan concluded the quarter propelling Italy to a leading score of 25-17.
**Interview with Coach Andrea Capobianco of Italbasket Femminile**
**Interviewer**: Coach Capobianco, congratulations on the resounding victory against the Czech Republic! What does this win mean for you and the team as you prepare for Eurobasket 2025?
**Andrea Capobianco**: Thank you! This victory is significant on multiple levels. It reinforces our team’s cohesion and our strategy moving forward. While we are already qualified for Eurobasket 2025, each game like this builds our confidence and allows us to fine-tune our play style ahead of the tournament.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned strategy. What adjustments did you make after the slow start in the first quarter?
**Andrea Capobianco**: Initially, we were a bit reactive, but after that quick 5-0 deficit, we gathered ourselves. We focused on pushing our pace and maximizing our shooting efficiency, particularly from Zandalasini and André, who really stepped up. Communication on defense also improved, which allowed us to create turnovers and convert them into points.
**Interviewer**: The Azzurre have been impressive, but you have Greece coming up next. What are your thoughts on that matchup?
**Andrea Capobianco**: Greece will be a formidable opponent. They have a strong lineup and play with high intensity. We will need to match their energy and focus on our defensive strategies. It’s crucial for us to keep our turnovers low and maintain our offensive rhythm. We look forward to the challenge.
**Interviewer**: As Italy prepares to host the Women’s Eurobasket, what does it mean for women’s basketball in your country?
**Andrea Capobianco**: Hosting the Eurobasket is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase women’s basketball in Italy. It has been 18 years since we last hosted, and we want to create an environment that not only celebrates the sport but also inspires the upcoming generation of female athletes. We hope to fill the stands and engage fans in every way possible!
**Interviewer**: Lastly, what message do you have for the fans as you look towards the future?
**Andrea Capobianco**: We are grateful for the support we receive, and we want our fans to feel like a part of our journey. Let’s keep building this excitement together! Women’s basketball is more than a game; it’s a passion that we want everyone to share. Forza Azzurre!
