Italy end Spain's reign with thrilling Quarter-Final triumph

KLATOVY (Czech Republic) - Italy pulled off a stunning result to end Spain's reign at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship with a dramatic 71-62 victory in the last eight.

Spain had been on an incredible run at the event with four straight titles, but will not be competing in the Final for the first time in over a decade.

Martina Fassina helped inspire the victory with a 22-point haul and Italy now move a step closer to their first-ever gold at U20 level.

"I am really, really happy," she enthused post-game. "We believed that we could do it and it is really hard to describe what I am feeling right now. This has to be the beginning for us."

Spain had looked on course for their fifth successive victory in Klatovy and led 38-30 at half-time. The Italians were 1-of-10 from three-point range in the first half before going 6-of-10 in the second in a shooting display that included huge triples down the stretch.

"Even at half-time, we said to each other that we can still win," added Fassina. "We just needed to defend better and our zone defense helped a lot.

"We supported each other and that is what we do best."

Italy only picked up their first win on the third day of the tournament with an emphatic victory over Germany and had to dig deep to get past the hosts, Czech Republic in the Round of 16.

And, Fassina is ready to put it all on the line to inspire more success for her nation following the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship title won last month in Sarajevo.

"We lost those games in the group so we didn't have anything to lose. We just play with all our hearts and I want to give everything for this team."

Italy will face France on Saturday after they eased to a 76-33 victory over Hungary after using a 21-0 run in the first half to take control. Emmanuelle Trahane and Tima Pouye combined for 32 points to help their side stay unbeaten.

Meanwhile, Belgium beat Poland 72-54 behind another big double-double from Billie Massey with 24 points and 16 rebounds. Also improving to 5-0 were Russia as they opened the Quarter-Finals with a 64-51 success against Serbia.

Semi-Finals:
Russia v Belgium
Italy v France

FIBA