MADRID, 3 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The second phase of the Basketball World Cup, which is taking place in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, closed this Sunday, in a day marked by the surprise victory (104-110) of Lithuania against the United States thanks to the performance from triple the Baltics, while Germany passed over (100-71) Luka Doncic and his Slovenia, although both teams were already classified.
In addition to the defeat and, therefore, the elimination of Spain after their defeat (85-88) against Canada, Lithuania showed that this US team is down to earth and also makes mistakes that can cost them dearly. Steve Kerr’s men succumbed to the energy and success in the three-pointer from the Baltics, who had their best day at the right time.
Valanciunas (12 points), Brazdeikis (11) and Jokubaitis (9) were important again in a team with up to seven players with double figures in scoring. The score at the end of the first quarter (12-31) and predicted the fall of the United States, which was already in tow, against a Lithuania with one more gear and who enjoyed a 56% success rate from the perimeter (14/25). .
The 35 points from Anthony Edwards were of no use, with the United States somewhat more disciplined after the break, although without order in the runner that the Lithuanians proposed in the final stretch. Thus, the victory leaves the Baltics first in their group, who will face Serbia in the quarterfinals while the United States will face off against Italy.
In another of the attractions of the day, Germany was a roller against Doncic’s Slovenia, winning 29 points to advance to the crosses as first in their group. Both teams arrived undefeated, but the superiority of the Dallas Mavericks was not such, despite finishing with 23 points. The Slovenian team came face to face with the influential Dennis Schroder, leader of the Teutons with 24 points and 10 assists.
The point guard, who had some scuffles with his coach on the bench, directed the German choral version that overcame a 14-point deficit at the start (11-25). The third quarter of the Germans, with 30 points, and a good defense against Doncic were the keys to victory. Now, they will meet Latvia in the quarterfinals, while Slovenia will face Canada.
LATVIA CONTINUES UNSTOPPABLE TOWARDS THE ROOMS
The ‘rookie’ Latvia, without its star Porzingis, remains unstoppable in the tournament and crushed (83-104) and eliminated Brazil to advance as first in its group to the quarterfinals. This triumph confirms the candidacy of the Latvians to fight for the medals, after being the executioner of France and beating Spain to knock out the current champion. It is the first time since 1998 that a debutant in a World Cup has reached the quarterfinals, aspiring to a semifinal that has not been reached since 1939, when she was runner-up.
Against the cariocas, a formidable third quarter was enough for Latvia, after an even first half and with partial scores for both teams. The match went 63-81 in the final 10 minutes, an already insurmountable distance for Brazil, which fell apart in that third set, against some Europeans spurred on by five triples and the irruptions of Arturs Zagars (17), Davis Bertans (14 ) and Arturs Kurucs (12).
In the rest of the day, Montenegro said goodbye with their heads held high, after winning (69-73) against a Greece also eliminated for the quarterfinals. Nikola Vucevic (19), Dino Randoncic (12) and Vladimir Mihailovic (10) were the best in the Balkans.
For its part, Italy beat Puerto Rico (73-57) to celebrate their pass to the quarterfinals, where they will have the difficult challenge of beating the United States. Against the Puerto Ricans, who had hopes with a tight 39-36 at halftime, the Europeans held their own thanks to the performances of Tonut and Ricci, with 15 points; Fontecchio (12) and Datome (11).
The Dominican Republic could not continue their dream in the World Cup, after losing heavily 79-112 against a rocky and solid Serbia. The Europeans put an end to the Caribbean illusion thanks to a decisive Bogdan Bogdanovic (20), shielded by Vanja Marinkovic and Nikola Milutinov, both with 16 points.
In the least important game of the day, Australia beat Georgia (100-84), a duel between two teams with no chance of advancing to the crosses. Patty Mills (19), Dante Exum (18) and Duop Reath (16) were the leaders in the oceans.