Eurobasket 2022: Italy bursts the Eurobasket kicking out Jokic and Serbia

Los round of 16 threw the first big surprise of the Eurobasket and it will be very difficult for someone to match it. Italia, completing probably his best game in decades at the international level, knocked out heavy favorite Serbia to the street, 86-94. To her and to one of the great stars, Nikola Jokicwho intends to be crowned in FIBA ​​basketball in Berlin.

Italy has loaded all forecasts. Serbia was the favorite for gold, but also the tournament rubbed its hands with a semi-final against Slovenia in what could be the mother of all battles, or a final against Antetokounmpo’s Greece in the duel of NBA MVPs. There will not be because the team of Gianmarco Pozzeco, who was ejected from the game, played as the Angels. As never before.

the key of Italia was in holding the first onslaught of Serbia, who came to dominate by up to 12 points in the first quarter. Then they did what no one has done in this Eurobasket win a Serbia a second room. Before, the Serbs had only left two third quarters and in almost decided matches. Thus, at rest the ‘azurra’ was still alive, but the question was how long?

And the answer came in two wonderful quarters played by the Italians. Especially in defense, the one they did against Micic is to study it, and in a fluid and successful attack that destroyed the wall the wall of Jokic and company. With Serbia trying to control the game in the third quarter, 57-47, it was the festival of often with four consecutive triples, three of them at the end of the third quarter and one at the beginning. The base finished with 21 points and 6 of 9 in triples. Then I took over Fontecchio19 points, Melli21, who ended up eliminated and Polonara15.

Serbiadesperately, I ended up relying only on what I did Jokicwhich ends with 32 points and 11 rebounds in a one against five practically in each attack. Serbia will always remember this last quarter in which they bowed their knees, 16-26, and were dominated by their rival. To leave the Eurobasket, which should have been his, through the back door. A disaster with consequences in the future.