MADRID, September 1 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The first day of the second phase of the Basketball World Cup, which takes place in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, was marked by surprise defeats against Spain, Canada, Serbia and the Dominican Republic, undefeated so far, while the United States, which If their first game was worked against Montenegro (85-73), Lithuania, Slovenia and Germany are already in the quarterfinals.

Groups L and I were tight after the Spanish, Canadian, Serbian and Dominican sides suffered defeats to Latvia, Brazil, Italy and Puerto Rico respectively. The tickets for the quarter-finals will therefore be decided on Sunday, with the eight participants depending on themselves.

After defending champions Spain lost 69-74 to Latvia, Canada were upset in Group L by Brazil, who came from behind to win 65-69 thanks, as in the of the Latvians, to a superb quarter-final.

Although they came in undefeated in this round, the North American team led by Spaniard Jordi Fernández emerged doubtful against a tough rival, eliminated by defeat and who started better, holding the powerful Canadian attack (13 -16). However, Canada rallied to dominate the second quarter (24-11) and comfortably take the lead at halftime (47-37).

After crossing the locker room, Brazil once again showed great caution in defense and prevented their rival from feeling comfortable. Canada did not see the hoop easily, it remained at 28 points in the second half and from there the South American team built its comeback, confirmed in a superb quarter-final (13-24). Thus, the winners of Spain-Canada and Brazil-Latvia will be those who will reach the quarter-finals this Sunday.

The same scenario presents itself in Group I, where everything will be decided in the duels between Serbia and the Dominican Republic and between Italy and Puerto Rico. The Serbian team crashed, as in the past Eurobasket, against Italy (76-78) and the Dominicans could not fight in the Central American duel with Puerto Rico (97-102).

Serbia and Italy had a very emotional and balanced match, although Svetislav Pesic’s side seemed to be in control after a great start to the third quarter where they prevailed 60-44. Gianmarco Pozzecco’s men, led by Simone Fontecchio (30 points), did not crumble and went 2-15 to enter the decisive ten minutes with all options intact. The Italians grew, took the lead with five points and held their advantage to add a vital victory.

In the other game, the Dominican Republic also conceded their first World Cup defeat against Puerto Rico in a very enticing game where attacks took precedence over defenses, with a special mention for Karl-Anthony Towns, author of 39 points and 10 rebounds. Waters of Tremont (37). The Dominicans led 84-76 in the final quarter, but Waters then entered the “fervescence” to put his team in place and close out the victory.

US ENCOUNTERS RESISTANCE IN MONTENEGRO

The rest of the groups brought no surprises, with the United States remaining unbeaten, but this time having to work to the finish against a tough Montenegro, who fought a ‘battle’ despite losing 85-73.

The Montenegrins, led by Nikola Vucevic (18 points and 16 rebounds), held on for the first 20 minutes and took the lead at halftime (37-38), but Steve Kerr’s men, without much brilliance , pressed after going through the locker room to Avoid any scares and secure your ticket to the quarter-finals.

The Olympic champion will play for first place in an undefeated match against Lithuania, qualified for the cross country after also eliminating Greece, clearly beaten 92-67 by Rokas Jokubaitis (19 points) and Ignas Brazdeikis (18) and an excellent defense that left the Hellenic team with 24 points in the second half.

Finally, in Group K, the qualification for the quarter-finals of Slovenia and Germany was also certified, which are the other two undefeated teams after beating respectively Australia (91-80) and Georgia ( 100-73).

The Slovenians and Australians reunited after the oceanic victory in the fight for bronze at Tokyo 2020, but this time the joy returned to their rival, led again by Luka Doncic, although he had a more “terrestrial” version. with 20 points, 7 rebounds. and 6 assists, with Josh Giddey leading the game with 27 points.

The 2017 European champions came out very strong, but Australia held on and with patience and hard work came back to within two points early in the final quarter. There, the Slovenian team sped up and finished the game 15-2 and knocked out their rival.

For their part, Germany did not have excessive problems against Georgia, who, after holding on until the break (43-41), could not follow their rival in the second half, ending in a devastating score of 57-32. The Germans and Slovenians will play for first place.