A near-miracle (Women’s Basketball World Cup – Day #2)

frafiomatale (78)in #sports • 11 days ago

_{Image by Microsoft Copilot}

This is the English version of the post Miracolo sfiorato, originally published in Italian in the ITALY community.

The second day of the Women’s Basketball World Cup once again delivered plenty of excitement — confirmations, shocking collapses, and even a kind of sporting miracle that Italy managed to touch for a few minutes before it slipped away in the final moments.

Capobianco’s Azzurre nurtured the dream of walking off the court of Berlin’s Uber Arena as winners in their matchup against the four‑time world champions, the United States. But in the end, they had to surrender to the unforgiving laws of basketball, which rewarded the Americans in the closing stages.

_{Cecilia Zandalasini, Zafer, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons}

The final 55–52 score with which our players had to bow at the buzzer still reflects the growth of women’s basketball in Italy. After yet another overly tense start, with the Americans jumping to +11 by the end of the first quarter, Capobianco’s 2–3 zone shrank the U.S. offense, dragging their shooting percentages to below 30% by the end of the game.

Italy even found themselves up by two with four minutes left, but the Americans’ greater experience — and the decisive plays by Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray — produced the decisive run. The Azzurre protested in the final seconds over a missing call on Cecilia Zandalasini’s attempted three‑pointer to tie the game: contact was there, but the referees chose not to sanction it, sealing the American victory.

In the other Group D matchup, China prevailed over the Czech Republic only after overtime, and today they will face Italy in a sort of playoff for second place. After the superb performance against Team USA, Italy can look at tonight’s game — and at securing the runner‑up spot — with renewed optimism, as finishing second would allow them to face a third‑placed team in the play‑in.

But I promised you some shocking surprises, and Group A delivered two genuine “bombshells.” Spain, considered the clear favorite for first place after dismantling Germany in their opener, was stunningly stopped by Mali, while the German hosts made quick work of Japan — the same Japan that had beaten the Africans on Day 1.

_{Emma Meesseman. Zafer, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons}

An unexpected shake‑up that now leaves all four teams tied in the standings. Today’s matchups — Spain vs. Japan and Mali vs. Germany — are must‑watch games, decisive for advancing to the next round. At this point, making predictions is impossible; anything can truly happen.

No surprises instead in Group B, dominated by Olympic silver medalists France. After crushing Hungary on opening day, the French repeated themselves yesterday against South Korea, controlling the game from the first moment to the last with superior physicality and pace.

Today’s game against Nigeria looks like a mere formality to lock down first place and further confirm — if confirmation were even needed — that France are increasingly establishing themselves as the most credible alternative to the American favorites.

But what will Belgium and Australia — the powerhouses of Group C — have to say about that? Their head‑to‑head clash today is considered one of the most anticipated games of the entire first phase of the tournament: who will prevail between the fast, sparkling play of the European champions and the physical, defensive style of the Oceanians?

See you next time!