The Chinese women's basketball team defeated Italy 71:51 to secure second place in Group D of the Women's Basketball World Cup

China News Service, Berlin, September 8. In the final round of Group D of the 2026 FIBA ​​Women's Basketball World Cup group match held in Berlin on the 7th local time, the Chinese team defeated the Italian team 71:51 and secured second place in the group with 2 wins and 1 loss.

In the second round of the group stage, the defending champion United States narrowly defeated the Italian team 55:52, securing first place in Group D in advance and advancing directly to the quarterfinals. The Chinese team reversed the Czech team 74:70 in overtime, ensuring the top three in the group and locking in a spot in the quarterfinals. The Czech team lost both games and was eliminated early.

The Chinese team and the Italian team both had one win and one loss. According to the rules, the game on the 7th is a key position battle for the two teams to compete for second place in the group. The outcome directly determines the team's opponent in the quarterfinals play-offs.

The recent performance of the Italian women's basketball team should not be underestimated. In the overseas warm-up match in August this year, Italy defeated the Chinese women's basketball team 88:76 and 81:57. In the first two group matches of this World Cup, the Italian team showed strong defensive capabilities.

In this game, the Chinese women's basketball team quickly entered the state in the first quarter. Luo Xincheng and Yang Shuyu felt hot and hit three-pointers one after another. Rising star Zhang Ziyu hit consecutive shots. The Chinese team took the lead at 23:7. In the second quarter, the Chinese women's basketball team continued to take the initiative, leading 40:21 after halftime.

In the second half, Italian team player Zanderasini scored consecutively, leading the team to regain touch, and the two teams began to narrow the point difference. In the final quarter, the Chinese women's basketball team widened the point difference again and finally defeated the Italian women's basketball team 71:51. The second place in the group advanced to the quarterfinals play-offs.

Two Chinese women's basketball players scored in double figures in this campaign. Han Xu contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Yang Shuyu scored 15 points and 5 rebounds.

Gong Luming, the head coach of the Chinese women's basketball team, said that since the grouping, the team has studied the Italian team as its main opponent and done a lot of exercises on both offense and defense. This is also the best game for the team to prepare for.

Next, the Chinese women's basketball team will enter the quarterfinals play-offs, facing the Puerto Rico women's basketball team, which is third in Group C. (over)