Italy U18 Women Open FIBA European Championship Campaign With Gritty 84-75 Victory Over Sweden

MILAN, IT – August 2, 2026 – Italy U18 Women put on a display of composure and scoring depth to open their FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Division A campaign with an 84-75 victory over Sweden U18 Women. In a high-tempo contest that tested both defenses early, Italy pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a crucial win in their group-stage opener.

The Italian side entered the tournament looking to establish themselves as a serious contender, and their performance against a physical Swedish squad gave head coach Andrea Brunelli plenty of encouragement. Italy shot efficiently from mid-range and controlled the glass at key moments, while a decisive final stretch turned a tightly contested matchup into a comfortable nine-point margin.

Fast Start and Momentum Swings

Sweden came out firing from beyond the arc, using crisp ball movement to find open looks in transition. Guard Elsa Lindqvist set the tone early with two quick three-pointers, helping Sweden build a 24-20 lead at the end of the opening quarter. Italy stayed within striking range behind the versatile play of forward Sofia Colombo, who attacked the paint with confidence and drew several fouls.

The second quarter saw Italy clamp down defensively, switching more aggressively on screens and forcing Sweden into contested shots. Italy completed a 9-0 run midway through the period to take their first significant lead, but Sweden responded through the scoring of center Tilda Bergström, whose post moves kept the match level at 41-41 heading into the halftime break.

Italy’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Decides the Contest

The third quarter remained a back-and-forth affair, with neither side able to separate by more than five points. Italy’s bench contributed valuable minutes, and guard Giulia Rossi began to dictate the tempo with her probing drives and timely kick-outs. Sweden also had their moments, relying on the sharp shooting of Nova Andersson, who finished with a team-leading contribution from deep.

With the score tied at 71-71 entering the final minutes, Italy showcased their maturity. Rossi nailed a pull-up jumper, Colombo converted an and-one, and a late steal-and-score from defensive specialist Aurora Bianchi gave Italy an eight-point cushion with under two minutes remaining. Sweden was forced to foul, but Italy converted their free throws to seal the 84-75 victory.

Standout Performances

• Sofia Colombo (Italy) – Led the way with 24 points and 8 rebounds, proving a matchup problem for the Swedish defense all evening.
• Giulia Rossi (Italy) – Finished with 18 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, controlling the game’s tempo in the fourth quarter.
• Elsa Lindqvist (Sweden) – Connected on five three-pointers on her way to 21 points, keeping Sweden competitive throughout.
• Tilda Bergström (Sweden) – Dominated the boards with 12 rebounds to go along with 15 points in the paint.

Tournament Implications

This opening victory puts Italy in an early position of strength in the group-stage standings, with their next match looming as another important test. Italy’s balanced scoring attack and ability to execute under pressure will be key as they look to advance deeper into the tournament.

For Sweden, the loss is a setback but not a fatal one. The U18 European Championship format rewards consistency over a single game, and Sweden’s perimeter shooting and size inside will make them a difficult opponent in the remaining group matches. Still, they will need to tighten their transition defense and avoid the late-game turnovers that proved costly against Italy.

The FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Division A continues to deliver intensity, and both teams will be eager to bounce back or build momentum in their upcoming fixtures. Italy, meanwhile, will enjoy the confidence that comes with defeating a tough Swedish side on the opening day of the championship.