MADRID, August 29 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Canadian team closed its participation in the first phase of the Mundobasket 2023, which takes place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, on Tuesday with a comfortable victory (101-75) against the other team that arrived undefeated in Group H, Latvia, while Germany also beat Finland with authority (101-75) in Group E, confirming that they are one of the strongest teams in the tournament.

Jordi Fernández’s side came out skeptical against a Latvia who had nothing to lose and finished the first quarter 10 points clear. But the American team woke up in the second set, adapting in defense and with a more fluid attack, which allowed them to return to the locker room with a single point on the mattress.

In the second half, the distance widened as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went wild with an excellent performance (27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) which collapsed the Latvians. The point guard continues to establish himself as the most decisive player so far in the World Cup, with the support of RJ Barrett, author of 22 points.

On the other hand, Germany closed their immaculate first phase with a crushing victory against Finland who, after being the revelation of the last Eurobasket, leave the World Cup without knowing the victory. Again without their star Franz Wagner, the Germans showed a very choral game, with 10 players from 10 points, highlighting Isaac Bonga and Dennis Schroder, both with 15.

GROUP A: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC REMAIN UNDEFEATED AND ITALY RECOVER

The Dominican Republic is confirmed as one of the surprises of the championship and ends the first phase with many victories, after beating the Angolan team with some difficulty (75-67). Once again, the standout player was Joventut point guard Andrés Feliz who, after his exhibition against Italy, scored 17 points against the Africans.

After the controversial defeat against the Dominican Republic, the Italians needed a victory against the Philippines to certify their lead and they succeeded, but with more pain than expected (90-83). A good Simone Fontecchio led a transalpine team in which up to six players achieved double-digit scores, invalidating Jordan Clarkson’s precise performance (23 points and 7 rebounds) against the hosts.

The Dominicans and Italians will face off in the second round against Group B, where Serbia are seeded and, with one game remaining, Puerto Rico will have to beat China and hope the Serbs do the same against South Sudan.

GROUP D: LITHUANIA DOMINATE UNBEATEN DUEL and EGYPT SAY GOODBYE TO CRUSH

In the confrontation between undefeated teams, the Lithuanians proved to be vastly superior (91-71) to a faded Montenegro which failed to show the success of its two previous participations. In the Balkans, Chicago Bulls player Nikola Vucevic, with 19 points, was the only one to challenge the Lithuanian defense, a team that used an inspired Rokas Jokubaitis who led the ship with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. certify the first position.

The Egyptian team was stronger in the duel against Mexico (100-72), two teams that did not win. The Africans dominated the South American team, led by Ehab Amin Saleh (22 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds). Among the Mexicans, Francisco Cruz and Joshu Ibarra left until the age of 21, but that was not enough to avoid being the red lantern of the group.

The Montenegrins and Lithuanians now have to fight against the big favorite, the United States, who, with one game remaining, have already secured their place at the top, while Greece and New Zealand will face off for the last place.

GROUP E: AUSTRALIA BEFORE JAPAN AND STILL ALIVE

In a playoff duel, the Oceanicians had no trouble beating the Japanese team (109-89), in an excellent offensive performance led by NBA players Josh Giddey (26 points) and Xavier Cooks (24 and 16 rebounds) , which put the game off and allowed Brian Goorjian to rest his stars. In Japan, Josh Hawkinson was the best with 33 points, but that did not bring his team closer to the “baby boomers”.

In the second phase, the Germans, now with Wagner back, and the Australians will find themselves in Group F, in which Slovenia are already seeded and Georgia must beat Venezuela to secure their place and fight for the quarters of final.

GROUP H: FRANCE SUFFERS TO OBTAIN VICTORY OF HONOR IN LEBANON

After the surprising defeat against Latvia, which excluded them from the tournament, the French team had the chance to save their honor against weak Lebanon, but Vicent Collet’s team suffered much more than expected to win their first and only victory in this World Cup. (85-79).

The Europeans lost a point before the final period, largely thanks to the performance of Lebanese point guard Wael Arakji (29 points), but in the final quarter the figure of Real Madrid player Guerschon Yabusele emerged. He used his physicality and his intensity to climb to 18 points and give his team the advantage until closing the duel with a six-point lead.

Canada and Latvia now cross paths with Spain, who after getting their pass with the victory over Brazil, must defeat Iran this Wednesday to face this second cushion phase, in which the Brazilians will play against Costa d’Ivoire to complete the group.