Sports Writing, Sept. 6 (EFE) very equal who decided a crushing third quarter of the North American team led by Spaniard Jordi Fernández.

The semi-finals are already defined. The United States and Germany on one side; and Canada and Serbia on the other. The Canadians showed their superiority in a third quarter in which they were vastly superior (30-21) with their star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was unleashed throughout the game, doing and undoing as he pleased. Canada’s patronage continues to grow game after game.

The meeting, beyond giving a ticket to the semi-finals, had a special appeal. The duel between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander himself and Luka Doncic was one of the most anticipated of the World Cup, two leaders of their teams who would have to give the best version of themselves to nullify the other. And they did not disappoint. Shai finished with 31 points, Luka with 26.

How could it be otherwise, the game was very balanced. There was no advantage over four points in the first two quarters. Gilgeous-Alexander did a recital de cómo ser efectivo en el uno contra uno desde la media distancia al tiempo que Doncic tiraba del carro mientras protestaba al equipo arbitral por sus decisiones, algo que a la postre le costó la descalificación a falta de seis minutos para the end. An accident that put an end to all hopes of a miraculous resurrection of the Slovenes.

It was an intense match, very tactical and in which the second swords of each team also shone. In Canada, with a much larger wardrobe, Dillon Brooks and RJ Barret were a headache for the Slovenian defence; and Klemen Prepelic was the perfect partner for Doncic to do some damage.

Jordi Fernández’s best moment for Canada came early in the third quarter. He managed to stop Doncic and be powerful in attack to, with a 2-11 streak, put the 61-52 which soon became 69-55, an advantage which at first seemed insurmountable (+14).

Keep reading the story

Not for Doncic, who didn’t give up. It looked like the former Real Madrid player could be the turning point with a three-pointer that stopped the bleeding and Canada’s positive partial, but RJ Barret’s response with another three-pointer dashed Slovenian hopes again.

Slovenia scored again from three, but Gilgeous-Alexander answered again on the line from three. Everything happened for a Canada which, yes, left with a 9 point advantage. Anything could happen in the last quarter.

However, the game followed the storyline of the last quarter. Slovenia tried to stop the Canadians, who finished without Brooks (disqualified), but it was impossible. Too much potential for the North American team which, six minutes from the end, was leading by 15 points (92-77).

It is the continuity of Canada, a killing machine that does not let go when it has the opportunity, which overthrew a Slovenia which did not know how to get out of its mess. Spain and Latvia suffered it. Doncic was not enough to stop Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company, whose favoritism continues to increase to, at least, make it to the final. Before of course, in their first semi-final, there is Nikola Jovic’s Serbia.

— Technical sheet:

100. Canada (26+24+30+20): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31), Rj Barret (24), Kelly Olynyk (7), Dillon Brooks (14), Dwight Powell (0) -initial team-, Luguentz Dort (8), Kyle Alexander (2), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (14), Zach Edey (-), Phil Scrubb (-), Melvin Ejim (0), Trae Bell-Haynes (-).

89. Slovenia (24+26+21+18): Luka Doncic (26), Zoran Dragic (10), Bine Prepelic (0), Mike Tobey (8), Alexej Nikolic (8) -initial team- Jaka Blazic (3 ), Jakob Cebasek (3), Ziga Dimec (2), Gregor Glas (-), Gregor Hrovat (7), Klemen Prepelic (22), Ziga Samar (-).

Referees: Roberto Vàazquez (Puerto Rico), Manuel Mazzoni (Italy), Gatis Salins (Latvia). Dillon Brooks (Canada) and Luka Doncic (Slovenia) were disqualified.

Incidents: match corresponding to the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup played at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila (Philippines).

(c) EFE Agency