Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women’s EuroBasket match.
The final fixture of the day in the Women’s EuroBasket quarter-finals features the clash between Italy and Turkey. This encounter stands out as one of the most finely balanced matchups of the round, so let’s evaluate which squad has the edge in the race for a semi-final berth.
Italy (women)
Throughout the group stage, Italy leaned heavily on Cecilia Zandalasini, who posted impressive statistics of 18.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. However, she received minimal offensive support from the rest of the squad, as reflected in their average of just 70.6 points per game. The squad employs a pragmatic style with a deliberately slow tempo—an approach that aligns well with the pressure and structure of knockout competition.
Turkey (women)
Turkey are unlikely to deviate from the methodical pace dictated by their opponents and will instead look to assert themselves defensively. This philosophy served them well in their narrow 69:71 defeat to the strong French team. Without a player of Cecilia Zandalasini’s calibre, the squad compensates with physicality and a well-organised defensive scheme. Their dominance on the glass is particularly notable—they top the tournament in rebounding, averaging 45.6 boards per game.
Italy (women) vs Turkey (women) Prediction
This is unlikely to be a free-flowing or high-scoring affair. Both squads prioritise defence and will focus on minimising errors. In this context, a bet on Total Under seems the most reasonable approach.
