Italy and the United States produced a fascinating transatlantic sports doubleheader on Sunday, September 6, with two women’s World Cup meetings in two different sports – and one victory for each country.
In Berlin, the United States women’s basketball team escaped with a 55–52 victory over Italy at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The Americans, defending champions and overwhelming favorites, led 19–8 after the first quarter, but Italy transformed the game with defense and intensity.
The Azzurre eventually moved ahead and were still threatening one of the greatest upsets in tournament history in the final minutes. Cecilia Zandalasini finished with 14 points, while Italy held the United States to just 29% shooting and 8.3% from three-point range. The Americans scored their lowest World Cup total since the introduction of the three-point line in 1984.
The USA nevertheless survived, extending its World Cup winning streak to 32 games and securing a place in the quarterfinals.
A few hours earlier in Łódź, Poland, however, Italy had celebrated its own victory over the Stars and Stripes, playing soccer.
The Azzurrine defeated the United States 2–1 in their opening match of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, a remarkable result considering the two nations’ histories in the competition. The Americans have participated in every edition and have won 3 world titles when including the inaugural U-19 tournament in 2002. Italy, by contrast, is appearing at this level for only the second time since 2012.
That made the result particularly significant for a young Italian squad containing 10 players born after 2006.
Two Italy–USA encounters, two World Cups, two very different sporting traditions and a 1–1 score in victories. On the basketball court, American experience survived an extraordinary Italian challenge. On the soccer field, Italy’s new generation delivered the upset.
For one day, women’s international sport offered a perfect Italy–USA doubleheader.
