Latvia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Montenegro and Lithuania also started with a win.

MADRID, August 25 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Canada, Australia and Germany presented their credentials for the 2023 Basketball World Cup on Friday, after dominating France, Finland and Japan respectively on the opening day of the 2023 Basketball World Cup. the competition to be held until September 10 in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In the second match of Group H, the Canadian team, coached by the Spaniard Jordi Fernández, faced France in the big game of the day, between two of the countries called to fight for the medals, and from the initial jump they were able to appreciate the importance of mourning.

The French team started connected and scored the first seven match points. Even if the Americans were quick to come into play, an excellent Evan Fournier, author of 21 points, including 19 in the first half, kept France in control. In the second quarter, the forces were evened up and the Canadians took a three-point lead at halftime.

The third quarter was the blow for the game of Canada, which thanks to some defensive adjustments, implementing very intense pressure on all terrains and the success of a Shai Gilgeous Alexander at MVP level (27 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists) remained on the scoreboard. , with a difference of more than twenty points which only increased in the last quarter until the final 95-65.

Meanwhile Germany, another favorite for the final rounds, had no problem against either of the Group E hosts. Orlando Magic center Mo Wagner was the most outstanding with 25 points and 9 rebounds in a game that started, it was decided. at the break, the Europeans winning by 22 points, which allowed the German coach to rotate and save his best players.

Despite the fact that in the second half the level of the Asians increased and they were able to catch up with the result, the last 18 points of income showed the very good form of the German team.

AUSTRALIA WINS IN DEATH GROUP TOO

The opening match faced Finland, one of the revelations of the last Eurobasket, and Australia, who after missing a medal in 2019, arrived at this edition with a similar block, but with important additions like Josh Giddey.

The European team started the first quarter better, with a successful Lauri Markkanen, who wants to show once again that he is one of the best players in FIBA ​​basketball. The Finns finished the first quarter in the lead, but disappeared halfway through the second. Australia connected in the match thanks to a very successful Patty Mills, which saw them take the lead at half-time.

In the third quarter the Australian domination increased, Mills easily scored and they defended better and better, short-circuiting the Finnish attack, heavily dependent on a Markkanen far from its best version. In the final quarter, the lead grew and Australia finished 26 points, thanks to 25 from Mills and youngster Josh Giddey, who came close to a triple double (14 points, 9 rebounds and 8 passes).

After the beautiful image shown during the preparation tournament in Granada, the Dominican Republic had the difficult task of starting their World Cup campaign against the Philippines, hosts of group A, and despite suffering more than expected, they did not not surprised.

A great Karl Anthony Towns, with a “double double” of 26 points and 10 rebounds, dominated both areas, and despite the fact that in the Philippines Jordan Clarkson put the team on the back with 28 points, it did not was not enough and the victory was to stop the Dominicans.

LITHUANIA FIND NO RIVAL IN EGYPT

The ever-quarrelsome Lithuanian side took on one of the Cinderellas of the championship, Egypt, and made good predictions with a clear victory in Group D which shows that even if they do not have a team as powerful as in previous editions, it will continue to give something to talk about

With Jonas Valanciunas dominating on both ends of the court, with 15 points and 10 rebounds and the success of Margiris Normantas, who scored 18 points in just 18 minutes of play, the Europeans certified their first points in a group in which they are from great favourites. move on to the second phase and they will play with Montenegro for the top spot.

Meanwhile, the Italian team started their journey in Group A against the experienced Angolan team, always rocky in these events, as they showed from the start, with physical defense and trying to play very fast , but the transalpine were not surprised and with a good first partial they finished before the first quarter.

In the second set, the Africans upped the ante and were guided by the success of small point guard Childe Dundao, who finished with 19 points, reducing the lead to just three points at halftime. Returning from the locker room, the Angolans continued to support the game of the Italians, led by Stefano Tonut, and ten minutes from the end, they lost only four points.

In the last quarter, the figure of former Baskonia player Simone Fontecchio appeared, carrying his team on his back with his 19 points and increasing the lead, leaving it at fourteen points with the end of the duel, more than what the African team deserved. which showed a very serious version.

MONTENEGRO BEAT MEXICO WITH SOLVENCY (91-71)

In the opening game of Group D, Montenegro made good predictions against a weak Mexico in a duel that was only equalized in the first quarter. The Mexicans managed to stay tied in the first quarter, but in the second, internal Balkan dominance, led by Nikola Vucevic, tipped the balance.

The second game was the confirmation of the Montenegrin superiority, Vucevic found no one to stop him under the hoops, until he finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and with the help of the goalkeeper of the ‘Unicaja Kendrick Perry, who scored 16 goals, they confirmed the European clear victory, which will fight for first place in the group against Lithuania.

In Group H, Latvia managed to beat Lebanon, one of the weakest teams in the world, without excessive problems, in a match in which the Europeans scored from the start.

The performance of Real Betis goalkeeper Dairis Bertans, who scored 20 points, was crucial, the Lebanese could not stop him and it took him only fifteen minutes to be the best of the match. In the Asian team, Sergio El Darwich and Omari Spelmann had the only positive mark, with 19 and 18 points respectively.

The Latvian dominance, a much more organized side against the weak rival defence, was evident. The Europeans will now look for an upset against France and Canada to sneak into the second phase.