The 2023 FIBA World Cup has reached the knockout stage. After their perfect run ended with a loss against Lithuania, Team USA will face World No. 10 Italy in the quarter-finals. Both teams will head into the match with a 4-1 winning record in the World Cup. Team USA will look to bounce back after their loss against Lithuania and take their spot among the Top 4 teams in the World Cup.

Italy will also look to continue their momentum in the quarter-final match and upset Team USA. Fans are excited to see which team comes out on top. But what happened the last time Team USA faced Italy in the FIBA World Cup? Let’s find out.

Italy and USA last met in the 2006 FIBA World Championship

Team USA last faced Italy in the FIBA World Cup in 2006, when the tournament was called the FIBA World Championship. The two nations went head-to-head in the Group Stage of the 2006 World Championship. Unlike this year, both teams headed into the encounter with an undefeated record of 3-0. The 2006 Team USA squad included NBA superstars Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and LeBron James. The young NBA stars of Team USA dominated the encounter in Sapporo City, Japan as they won the match in convincing fashion with a final score of 94-85.

Breaking Italy’s winning streak in 2006, Team USA moved to the No.1 spot in their respective group. Knicks Legend Carmelo Anthony dominated the Italian squad, scoring game-high 35 points in the win. His fellow Banana Boat Team member Dwyane Wade also scored 26 points to add to the total. In the Italian squad, all NBA Champion Marco Belinelli did the scoring. He scored 25 points, leading team Italy in scoring. After beating Italy in the group stage, Team USA won the bronze medal as Spain lifted the 2006 FIBA World Championship trophy.

Team USA wants to recreate history against Italy

Despite their loss against Lithuania, Team USA has been dominant throughout the 2023 FIBA World Cup. They are heavy favorites to win the quarter-final match against Italy. After a disappointing end to the Group Stage matches, Team USA will look to beat Italy once again like they did back in 2006.

Read More: Team USA Set to Evade 45-Year-Old Trauma at 2023 FIBA World Cup Despite Competing All Games in the Philippines

Considering most of the players who went up against Italy in the 2006 tournament have had a Hall of Fame career, the current USA roster’s future also looks bright. With young stars like Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves shining on the world stage, fans expect them to take over the league next season.

As of now, the only goal on Team USA’s mind is to win the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Do you think Team USA will beat Italy to move on in the World Cup?

Watch This Story: After Adding Michael Jordan’s Signature Move, Can Anthony Edwards Live Up to the Hype in FIBA World Cup for Team USA?