The tap-off of the Italbasket 2023 World Cup is up: in the colossal Philippine Arena (at least 43,000 tickets sold for the first day) the Azzurri face Angola in the first match of Group A.
First Quarter
In the impressive setting of the Philippine Arena and in front of Dirk Nowitzki in the parterre, a bad start for the Azzurri, who suffer the Angolan intensity in the first few minutes adding also several turnovers. Angola manages to lead up to 13-6, but Italy finds greater pace on both sides of the field by placing a break of 14-0 which in turn brings it ahead by 7 on 20-13 despite the 2/ 11 starting from 3. Angolan replies with a 4-0 for -3, but the first quarter ends with a triple from Severini’s corner: 23-17.
Second quarter
The Azzurri build good shots but struggle to pick up pace, and on the other hand the defensive rotations tend not to withstand the impact of Angola who, with an initial break of 7-0, take the lead 24-23. Italy stops the break but the Angolans find rhythm with two good triples from Dundão. The Azzurri got back on track also thanks to the positive impact of Tonut (12 points in the first half) and Italy went up 43-40 at half-time.
Third fourth
Excellent blue start, with a 6-0 break (4 points from Fontecchio) and the maximum lead on +9. Angola, however, responds, making an impact on 49 with Fernando’s energy. The period develops with flare-ups on both sides: for Italy Tonut shines as well as Fontecchio, for Angola Dundão continues to find rhythm and impact. It goes to the last break on 57-61 for the blues.
2023-08-25 09:30:09
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