Italy go into their meeting with Team USA on a wave of belief, and Sara Madera says the comeback win over Cechia has only added to that feeling. After trailing 19-26 before recovering to win 63-54, Italy now face one more very tough game, with Madera urging her side to play with freedom and take their chance.
Speaking at the morning shooting session at the Max Schmeling Halle, Madera said the squad are trying to build on the atmosphere around the team and the support they have already felt from the public. For Italy, this is not just about the next result. It is also about showing they belong on a bigger stage as Europei 2026 approaches.
Verona, Costanza: Italy want to play without fear
Madera’s message was simple. Italy respect the quality of Team USA, but they do not want that to become a burden. As she put it, the team are “very charged”, happy to be there and eager to play their cards, with nothing to lose and a determination to give 101%.
That is the right mindset for a game of this size. Team USA may be the stronger side on paper, but Madera stressed that Italy should not be crushed by that reality. Instead, she said they must go on court free in the head, ready for the tension and adrenaline, and willing to see what the scoreboard says at the end.
Preparing for a very difficult opponent
Italy have not approached the game blindly. Madera explained that the team have worked on themselves first, then made adjustments for the opposition, trying different defensive and offensive ideas to put “some sand” into Team USA’s gears. It is a practical way of framing the challenge: they know finding a real weakness is difficult, so the focus has been on making life awkward in different ways.
That is important because Italy are not treating this as a one-off occasion. Madera said the tournament run is still long, hopefully as long as possible, and that this game should be another step in finding rhythm and improving day by day. With another super tough match waiting the next day, the point is not arrival, but progression.
The atmosphere can lift Italy again
If there is one thing Madera clearly wanted to stress, it is the sense of occasion around the team. She said it was beautiful to see so many people outside the hall, and that the squad may not fully realise yet what they are living through and giving back to the fans. She expects a full arena and described the whole experience as one to be lived, not feared.
That matters because Italy have already shown they can respond under pressure. The comeback against Cechia proved that they can stay in a game even when they start slowly, and the 63-54 win gives them a platform. Against Team USA, the challenge is obviously much bigger, but Madera’s words suggest Italy will try to meet it with energy, courage and a clear sense of purpose.
For now, the message is that Italy are not treating Team USA as the end of the story. It is another test, another chance to compete, and another step on a journey that Madera insists is only just beginning.
