Italy U17 64 – 70 Slovenia U17
FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup – 4 July 2026

Slovenia’s Under‑17 national team opened their FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup campaign with a gritty 70‑64 victory over Italy U17 on Saturday. In a contest defined by defensive intensity and clutch fourth‑quarter execution, the Slovenian side overcame a slow start to outlast their Italian rivals and claim a crucial win in the group stage.

Match Overview

The game was played at a high tempo from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets in the early exchanges. Italy seized momentum midway through the first half, using sharp ball movement to build a six‑point lead. However, Slovenia responded with a 10‑2 run to close the second quarter, taking a slim 35‑33 advantage into the break.

In the third period, the Italians regained control behind aggressive drives to the rim and solid transition defence. A 14‑4 burst put Italy ahead 52‑47 heading into the final frame. But Slovenia’s composure under pressure defined the closing stages. They opened the fourth quarter on a 12‑2 run, forcing Italian turnovers and converting in transition. A clutch three‑pointer with two minutes remaining extended the Slovenian lead to seven, and Italy could not recover.

Key Moments & Tactical Story

• Second‑quarter response: After trailing by six, Slovenia tightened their half‑court defence and forced three consecutive shot‑clock violations, sparking a run that turned the game.
• Fourth‑quarter resilience: Italy had no answer for Slovenia’s full‑court pressure in the final frame. The Slovenian guards repeatedly beat the Italian press, leading to easy layups and drawing fouls.
• Free‑throw accuracy: Slovenia shot 16 of 19 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter alone, icing the game from the line.

Standout Players

For Slovenia, point guard Luka Horvat was instrumental, finishing with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. His ability to control the pace in crunch time was decisive. Forward Miha Novak added a double‑double of 14 points and 11 rebounds, providing a physical presence inside.

Italy was led by shooting guard Alessandro Bianchi, who poured in 22 points on 8‑of‑15 shooting. Centre Marco Rossi contributed 12 points and 9 rebounds, but Italy’s bench was outscored 24‑8, a telling gap.

Season & Tournament Impact

With this victory, Slovenia U17 takes an early lead in Group C, while Italy drops to 0‑1. The result also continues Slovenia’s upward trajectory in youth international basketball, building on a silver medal at the 2024 FIBA U16 European Championship. For Italy, the loss puts extra pressure on their upcoming match against a physical Argentina side. The group’s top two teams advance to the knockout rounds, making every game critical.