Second defeat for the Women’s National Team at the tournament in Vigo: after giving in to China (63-62) the Azzurre were defeated by the hosts Spain: after a balanced first half, Mendez’s team dug the furrow but Lino Lardo’s team however, always remained in contact (44-55).
The best Azzurra scorers were Cecilia Zandalasini and Olbis Andrè with 12 points, Sara Madera also in double figures (10, with 12 rebounds). The legend Cata Pollini (252 appearances and 3915 points for the national team), who has lived and coached in Galicia for many years, was also on the sideline to cheer for Italy.
Lardo changes the playmaker (Santucci for Verona) and otherwise keeps the starting lineup unchanged against China, namely Panzera, Zandalasini, Keys and Bestagno. The first basket is from Santucci but Spain accelerates immediately and inflames the 3000 of Das Travesas (9-2).
The Azzurre are struggling to find fluidity in attack (7 points in the first quarter) and suffer in rebounding (7 offensive allowed in the first 20′, 12 at the end) but remain attached to the game thanks to punctual defense and points from Madera and Zandalasini, which on the siren of the second quarter brings us back to -1 (23-22).
Spain’s escape comes in the third quarter, with a 13-1 run that drops us to -11 (36-25), a margin that the Azzurre will no longer be able to fill even if Andrè makes the lay- up by -7 (51-44).
A defeat contained in the score against one of the big favorites of the next European Championship but above all another extremely useful test on the road that will take us to Tel Aviv.
Tomorrow afternoon, the Azzurre will be guests of the Milanese editorial staff of SkySport.
The women’s national team will play three more tests before the debut at the European Championship, scheduled for June 15 in Tel Aviv against the Czech Republic: the matches against Croatia and Greece in Athens on June 3 and 4 and then the last match in Pordenone l ‘June 11 against Germany.
The Azzurre were drawn in group B in Tel Aviv: the debut will take place on 15 June at 2.00 pm in Italy against the Czech Republic. On the 16th they return to the field at 2.30 pm to challenge the hosts of Israel and on the 18th the last match of the group with Belgium at 14.15.
The eventual play-off (the first goes to the quarter-finals, the last is eliminated, second and third meet) would be played on 19 June against a team in group A (Spain, Greece, Latvia, Montenegro) at 17.00 or 20.00. On the 20th transfer to Ljubljana, where the final phase will be played.
The first six of the European Championship enter the Pre-Olympic tournament, scheduled for February 2024 in anticipation of the Paris Games. If France were to close out of the top 6, only the top 5 of EuroBasket Women would qualify for the Pre-Olympic.
Italy-Spain 44-55 (7-13; 15-10; 9-24; 13-8)
Italy: Villa 2 (1/7), Romeo 3 (0/1, 1/2), Bestagno* (0/2), Verona (0/1), Zandalasini* 12 (4/7, 1/4), Pan (0/2 from 3), Makeup 1 (0/1), Madera 10 (3/4, 1/1), Santucci* 3 (1/1, 0/2), Andrè 12 (6/11), Panzera*, Keys* 1 (0/3, 0/1). All. Lard
Spain: Ouvina* 6 (1/4, 0/1), Dominguez 4 (1/3, 0/1), Torrens* 5 (1/3, 1/2), Casas (0/3, 0/1) , Romerone, Rodriguez 2 (1/2, 0/3), Cazorla* 9 (3/3, 1/4), Carrera* 10 (3/6), Ginzo 10 (5/7), Pendande 2, Conde 2 (1/5, 0/3), Gil* 5 (1/5). All. Mendez.
Referees: Alberto Sanchez, Esperanza Mendoza Holgado, Sandra Sanchez.
T2P: Italy 15/38 ; Spain 17/41.
T3P: Italy 3/12; Spain 2/15.
TL: Italy 5/12; Spain 15/22.
Rebounds: Italy 41 (Madeira 12); Spain 34.
Turnover: Italy 25; Spain 14.
Steals: Italy 9; Spain 13.
The match table1
China-Italy 63-62 (15-16; 15-17; 18-16; 15-13)
China: Yuan Li* 2 (1/3, 0/2), Manman Zhang 3 (1/3 from 3), Yifan Li ne, Jin 3 (1/2 from 3), Yang* 7 (2/2, 1 /5), Zang* 12 (6/7, 0/1), Luo 8 (1/2, 2/7), Pan ne, Linje Zhang 10 (2/5, 1/2), Gao* 10 (4 /6, 0/2), Lio* 2 (1/1, 0/1), Tang 6 (3/6). All. Zheng Wei.
Italy: Villa, Romeo 12 (1/1, 3/5), Bestagno* 1 (0/1 from 3), Verona* 3 (0/3 from 3), Zandalasini* 15 (5/11, 0/1) , Makeup 1, Madera, Santucci 5 (2/5, 0/1), Pastrello 2 (1/4, 0/1), Andrè 8 (3/3), Panzera* 2 (1/2, 0/1) , Keys* 13 (4/9). All. Lard
Referees: Alberto Sanchez, Ariadna Chueca Moreno, Sandra Sanchez.
T2P: China 20/32; Italy 17/38.
T3P: China 6/25; Italy 3/13
TL: China 5/10; Italy 19/29
Rebounds: China 37; Italy 30
Turnover: China 18; Italy 10
Steals: China 6; Italy 4
