BERLIN -- Every game boils down to moments.
As the United States faced Italy in the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, every second required a response, and for Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini, history came down to one moment.
In the final seconds, U.S. defender Jackie Young closed in on Zandalasini, raising her left hand. Zandalasini recoiled with the ball still in her hand, seemingly affected by Young's reach. But time did not stop, no whistle was blown, and Zandalasini had one more shot; one more moment. She found herself just beyond the arc, and still affected by Young's intrusion, she threw up a shot that could have made history, but it only found glass as the buzzer sounded and the U.S. escaped with a 55-52 victory.
Buy Fever tickets
In frustration, Zandalasini turned and strutted to the nearest official, yanking her jersey down in anger. Italy's coach Andrea Capobianco seemed to be the only one to calm her, as his hands cupped the sides of her face in an act of resolution.
#affected
As the United States faced Italy in the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, every second required a response, and for Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini, history came down to one moment.
In the final seconds, U.S. defender Jackie Young closed in on Zandalasini, raising her left hand. Zandalasini recoiled with the ball still in her hand, seemingly affected by Young's reach. But time did not stop, no whistle was blown, and Zandalasini had one more shot; one more moment. She found herself just beyond the arc, and still affected by Young's intrusion, she threw up a shot that could have made history, but it only found glass as the buzzer sounded and the U.S. escaped with a 55-52 victory.
Buy Fever tickets
In frustration, Zandalasini turned and strutted to the nearest official, yanking her jersey down in anger. Italy's coach Andrea Capobianco seemed to be the only one to calm her, as his hands cupped the sides of her face in an act of resolution.
#affected
7 days ago
