A Dream Italbasket Game: A Comeback Victory After Trailing by 13 Against the Lithuanian Stars

Italy defeated Lithuania 87-74 in Bologna in its final game of the first qualifying round for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, pulling off an extraordinary comeback. The Azzurri erased a 13-point deficit in the final five minutes, going on a sensational 24-8 run that completely shifted the momentum of the game.

With this victory, the national team finishes in first place in Group D ahead of Lithuania and Iceland (which won 88-86 on the road against Great Britain), securing its fifth consecutive win following the setback in Tortona against the very same Icelandic team.

In the second phase of the Qualifiers, Italy will face the top three teams from Group C: Turkey (already assured of first place), Serbia, and Bosnia. The latter two will face off tomorrow night; the official schedule will be finalized after that game.

On an individual level, Nico Mannion was the standout performer, scoring 27 points. Matteo Spagnolo (14) and Stefano Tonut (10) also scored in double figures.