Saturday, Jul 3, 2021. 6:04 PM
VICTORIA – Coach Nick Nurse had previously planned to have coffee with a Japanese journalist this summer in Tokyo. But as Canada’s first Olympic appearance in 21 years in men’s basketball, that will have to wait.
The Canadian team gave their all late in the game to try to keep their Tokyo hopes alive, but lost 103-101 in overtime to the Czech Republic in the semi-finals of the Olympic qualifying tournament. Victoria, BC, Saturday.
“We played the way we were supposed to in the second half, but I think it took too long to adjust in the first half of the game,” said Nurse.
“It was a very, very physical game, but that’s their style. I would have liked us to take more advantage of our offensive opportunities, but they managed to force us to take more or less dangerous shots from the outside. We needed more attacks on the basket, and we did more in the second half. “
The maple leaf trailed for most of the game, but it closed a 10-point deficit dramatically in the last minute of the fourth quarter to force overtime.
The locals then netted five unanswered points in the first half of the five-minute extra period, thanks to baskets from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and RJ Barrett.
The Czechs were not shaken, however, so they in turn amassed seven consecutive points to regain the lead.
Andrew Wiggins extended the suspense with 15 seconds remaining by drawing the tie 101-101, but Czech captain Tomas Satoransky delivered the stab by putting his team forward with 1.4 seconds left in overtime.
Trey Lyles got the last chance for the Canadiens, but his shot hit the ring before falling out of the basket, which ended Canada’s dream of competing in their first Olympic Games in men’s basketball since those. of Sydney in 2000.
“Sometimes that’s what happens in a knockout tournament,” said Nurse. If you just look at the last two games, they hit their basket, while our attempt bounced off the ring, and that’s what made the difference.
“I think we adjusted well in the second half, we had some great chances, but the odds didn’t turn in our favor tonight (Saturday). It happens. “
The Czech Republic will face Greece in the final on Sunday. The Greeks triumphed 81-63 over Turkey on Saturday night.
Montrealer Luguentz Dort amassed six points for Canada. He only managed one of his five attempts for three points.
Barrett, with 23 points, and Wiggins, with 22, led the offensive charge for the maple leaf, while Alexander-Walker added 21 points for the Canadiens.
The Czechs led the game from start to finish, except for Canada’s short run early in extra time. Blake Schilb scored 31 points for his country.
“It was an incredible game, played in an incredible atmosphere. I haven’t played a lot in the last year so it was really nice to see that all of our efforts paid off, ”said Schilb, who was named player of the match.
About 800 spectators were present in the amphitheater in Victoria to cheer on Canada, which could count on its best formation in history in men’s basketball according to several observers.
“It is certain that it is a disappointment for us, but I believe that the” coach “reminded us that the future is promising for us. We have to stand united and look to the next opportunity this team has, ”said strong Canadian winger Andrew Nicholson.
Eight Canadian team players – Trey Lyles (San Antonio), Mychal Mulder (Golden State), Dwight Powell (Dallas), Captain Cory Joseph (Detroit), Alexander-Walker (New Orleans), Dort (Oklahoma), Wiggins (Golden State) and Barrett (New York) – play in the NBA.
Canada, ranked 21st in the world, found itself in Group A of the six-team tournament which began on Tuesday. He advanced to the semi-final, defeating Greece 97-91 and China 109-79 in the round robin.
Group B consisted of Uruguay, Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Three other similar tournaments are currently taking place in Croatia, Lithuania and Serbia, to determine the last countries that will get their passes to the Tokyo Games.
The Canadian women’s team, ranked fourth in the world, qualified for the Tokyo Games in February.
