Berlin (Germany), September 7, 2026 – Too much China for Italy . At the Max-Schmeling-Halle, Capobianco ‘s national team immediately suffered from the physicality of the Chinese, who appeared much more aggressive and perhaps more rested than the Azzurri. With both teams already assured of qualification for the knockout stage, the Berlin match served to define the group placement and, above all, which opponent they would face in Pool C. China already created a gap in the first half, with Italy struggling on the rebounds and suffering from poor field goal percentages (2/17 from three). The two Chinese towers, Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu , towered under the knife and it became difficult for Italy to respond. A proud reaction came in the third period, but the gap was now too wide to bridge. Italy thus finished in third place in Pool D and will face Australia (second in Group C), while China will draw a more affordable Puerto Rico.
The match
A complicated start for Italy, surprised by the speed and aggressiveness of the China: Capobianco is immediately forced to stop the game halfway through the first quarter at -9 (5-14). After the timeout little changes: China continues to be more reactive and places itself at area, confusing the Azzurre even more. From the bench comes Zhang Ziyu, center of 2.23 m, who scores eight points in a row and leads his national team by as much as +16 (7-23) at the end of the first quarter. The start of the second quarter seems different, with Italy raising the defense but continuing to struggle in attack. China punishes every mistake by restarting in transition and, on the counterattack basket of Tang GT. for the +20 (9-29) halfway through the quarter, Capobianco has to call the last one timeout at their disposal for the first half. The Asian national team dominated under the boards, doubling Italy on rebounds: Han Xu, who continues a relay race between giants with Zhang, is already in the air double double, even before halftime. Zandalasini She is the only one to try to unlock the attack, but her effort is not enough: at the long break Italy is down 21-40The second half started off with a tough start for Italy, who slipped to -25. The blue pride but it makes itself heard: with a partial 10-0 the girls of Capobianco, led by the usual Zandalasini and Villa, they sew up to the -15 (31-46) midway through the third period. The face of the national team changes completely, as it scores twenty-one points In the third quarter alone—the same number as the first twenty minutes combined—thanks to finally-fixed field goal percentages. After thirty minutes, Italy is down by thirteen. (42-55), with the average placing of Blasigh to seal the period. However, the carefully woven Penelopian web is immediately destroyed at the beginning of the fourth period: China raises the percentages from the arc and, with a partial of 8-0, returns to surpass the twenty point advantage over Italy (46-66 at 33′), forcing Capobianco to call a timeout. But the break was of little use, China check it out without problems and without forcing until the final siren: it ends 51-71
The little table
Italy – China 51-71
Italy : Keys, Villa 15, Pasa 4, Verona 4, Zandalasini 12, Pan 5, Cubaj 5, Madera, Santucci 2, Fassina, Andre 2, Blasigh 2. Coach Capobianco.
China : Zhang M. 5, Li 2, Wang 5, Yang 15, Tang 4, Luo 6, Chen Y. 3, Han 19, Chen M. 2, Zhang Z. 8, Sun 2, Jia. All. Gong.
Notes: Partials 7-23, 21-30, 42-55. Two-point shooting: Italy 20/53 (38%), China 21/38 (51%). Three-point shooting: 2/17 (12%), 8/19 (42%). Free throws: 9/14 (64%), 5/8 (63%). Rebounds: 27, 37.