Italy banking on a blend of youth and experience
ROME (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - Italy are being touted as candidates to make a deep run at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 and even more so after they confirmed a roster packed with experience and some new Final Round faces.
Play-caller Andrea Capobianco has enjoyed a hugely successful time since picking up the reins and he will be looking to the veteran hands of Laura Macchi and Raffaella Masciadri against the dynamic and thrilling play of rising star Cecilia Zandalasini to make the difference.
| Italy roster for EuroBasket Women 2017 | |||
| Sabrina Cinili | Martina Crippa | Valeria De Pretto | Francesca Dotto |
| Alessandra Formica | Gaia Gorini | Laura Macchi | Raffaella Masciadri |
| Elisa Penna | Kathrin Ress | Giorgia Sottana | Cecilia Zandalasini |
Macchi is back for her first outing at the Final Round since 2009 and was hugely effective in a superb campaign during the Qualifiers, while Zandalasini is one of a number of debutantes at the event.
She is joined by forward Elisa Penna, who has been riding high with Wake Forest in the NCAA, while Valeria De Pretto didn't play a single minute during the Qualifiers, but is rewarded for a progressive season with La Spezia, that has now seen her sign with Venezia for next season.
The rest of the team has plenty of international experience, including center Kathrin Ress who is heading into her fifth Final Round.
Meanwhile, versatile guard Giorgia Sottana will step out at her fourth edition - having just confirmed a change to her club career by ending a long association with Schio to move to BLMA in France.
Italy have been drawn in Group B and will go up against Belarus, Slovak Republic and Turkey.
FIBA
