For three quarters at the Berlin Arena, the Italian national team executed a defensive masterclass, threatening one of the most stunning upsets in international basketball history.

Entering the matchup, much of the chatter around Team USA centered on its high-powered, “young and turnt” core featuring the likes of Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Aliyah Boston, and Angel Reese. However, Italy’s structured, physical, half-court defense systematically disrupted that momentum. Italian guards Matilde Villa and Costanza Verona compressed the floor, forced tough decision-making, and slowed Team USA’s transition game to a crawl. Combined with disciplined interior defense from Sara Madera and Olbis Andre, who combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds, Italy dragged the heavy tournament favorites into an uncomfortably low-scoring affair.

When USA’s younger contingent struggled to find standard perimeter rhythm—shooting just 29% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range as a team—Italy capitalized. Led by a game-high 14-point effort from Cecilia Zandalasini, whose tough shot-making anchored the Italian offense across more than 30 minutes of action, Italy launched a third-quarter surge that eventually yielded a 50–49 lead with just 3:21 remaining in the game.

That was when championship experience took over.

With their 32-game World Cup winning streak on the line, USA’s veteran core stepped up to anchor a decisive 7–0 run in the final minutes. Chelsea Gray took control of the offense, finishing with 7 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds while scoring a crucial late jumper that pushed the lead to two possessions. Breanna Stewart delivered the go-ahead basket with under three minutes remaining, capping off a stat line of 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Alongside steady defense and transition hustle from Kahleah Copper, who contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, as well as team-leading scoring from Jackie Young with 10 points, the American veterans held Italy to just two points over the final four minutes to seal a grueling 55–52 victory.

Full game highlights;

With the hard-fought victory, Team USA officially clinched the top spot in Group D and punched their ticket directly into the Quarterfinals, resting up before their upcoming knockout match against the second-placed finisher of Group C. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Italy remains in strong contention to advance to the knockout stages. Having proved they can contend with the world’s standard-bearers, the Italians turn their immediate focus to a high-stakes final group stage showdown against China, where a win will lock up their place in the quarterfinal round.

While Italy revealed a blueprint on how to slow down Team USA’s explosive next generation, the final frame proved why veteran poise remains the ultimate equalizer on the international stage.