Wheelchair Basketball: Italy Defeats the Netherlands and Remains Undefeated at the World Championships

The Italian national wheelchair basketball team defeated the Netherlands 63-56 on the second day of the World Cup in Ottawa. This victory follows their opening win against Brazil, keeping the Azzurri undefeated in Group A. Italy controlled the match throughout, even building a 14-point lead in the second quarter, and then responded with determination to the Dutch comeback in the final period.

Key contributors to the win were Filippo Carossino with 22 points and Giulio Maria Papi with 19, alongside the young debutants Alessandro Sbuelz (9 points) and Luigi Topo (4 points), who were brought into the game during a crucial moment by coach Castellucci. The Azzurri's next match is on Sunday, September 13th at 23:00 Italian time against the United States, their final game of the group stage.

Wheelchair basketball is the Paralympic version of basketball, born in the 1940s to allow war veterans with disabilities to participate in sports. It is played with rules similar to traditional basketball, but in wheelchairs, with player classifications based on their disability to ensure balance between teams. The International Federation (IWBF) organizes the World Championships every four years.

Italy regularly participates in these international tournaments with a competitive national team. The Azzurri squad, led by coach Castellucci, qualified for the 2026 World Championships in Ottawa after a preparation journey that included training sessions and friendly matches. The victory against the Netherlands represents an important step toward the goal of advancing in the knockout stage, demonstrating the growth of a group that combines veterans like Carossino and young talents like Sbuelz and Topo.