Italy’s U20 Women’s team proved too strong for Slovenia, claiming a 77–68 victory in the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division A on July 11, 2026. The win bolstered Italy’s standing in the elite division, while Slovenia was left to rue a slow start that proved costly against a disciplined Italian side.

Italy Takes Control Early

From the opening tip, Italy imposed its defensive will, holding Slovenia to just 12 points in the first quarter while building a 22–12 lead. The Italian guards applied full-court pressure and forced several early turnovers, which translated into easy transition baskets. Slovenia struggled to find any offensive rhythm in the first 10 minutes.

Slovenia Fights Back

To their credit, the Slovenian players regrouped in the second quarter and began to close the gap. A 9–0 run brought them within five points, but Italy answered with a three-pointer just before halftime to carry a 38–30 lead into the break. The third quarter saw both teams exchange baskets, with Slovenia cutting the margin to four points late in the period. However, Italy’s superior depth and composure in the final stanza allowed them to maintain the lead and eventually secure the nine-point win.

Key Statistics

• Italy U20 Women: Shot 48% from the field, including 8-of-18 from three-point range. They dominated the boards 40–32 and had 17 assists on 28 made baskets.
• Slovenia U20 Women: Committed 16 turnovers and shot just 34% in the first half. Their leading scorer finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

Standings and Next Steps

With the win, Italy improved to 2–1 in Division A, keeping pace with the group leaders and strengthening their case for a quarterfinal berth. Slovenia fell to 1–2 and must now win their final group game to avoid dropping into the relegation round. The two teams have a history of tightly contested battles, but Italy’s experience in high-pressure moments made the difference on this occasion.