Germany Dominate Australia in FIBA World Cup, Securing Second Round Spot

Twenty-one years after the bronze medal won in 2002 in Indianapolis with Dirk Nowitzki, Germany has a little more affirmed its ambitions of a new world podium, Sunday in Okinawa (Japan). Gordon Herbert’s players dominated Australia (85-82) in the shock of Group E and have almost already pocketed their ticket for the second round.

Josh Giddey (17 points) and Australian coach Brian Goorjian left the floor angry at the lack of a whistle on the young leader’s desperate three-point shot, slightly touched by Daniel Theis. The Oklahoma City player also had bad luck. Victim of a slight bleeding, he observed from the bench the penultimate possession of his team, concluded by a loss of the ball by Patty Mills 10 seconds from the final buzzer before being able to return to play.

A cruel “money-time” for the veteran of the “Boomers” (35 years old), author of an excellent meeting (21 points, 6 assists). His 13 points in five minutes to start the match prevented Australia from drowning in the first minutes (from 5-16 to 13-16). But opposite, his vis-à-vis Dennis Schröder had also released his gala outfit (30 points, 8 assists). Unstoppable in penetration and precise behind the arc, the German captain received reinforcement from Maodo Lo (20 points) to resist late in the game.

Australia will play Japan on Tuesday to lock in second place in Group E and accompany Germany in the second round, where a shock against Slovenia is likely to await them to reach the quarter-finals.

Italy trapped by the Dominican Republic

Qualified in extremis for the World Cup with a decisive victory against Argentina in qualifying, the Dominican Republic is almost certain to reach the second round. The partners of Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 11 rebounds) surprised Italy (86-82) Sunday in Manila (Philippines), their second victory in two matches after that acquired against the Philippines (87-81).

Favorite, Italy was scuttled with an award-winning address down for more than three quarters (7 out of 29, 24%). His coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, furious against the arbitration, collected two technical fouls before half-time, synonymous with exclusion. But it did not wake up its men as at Euro 2022 against Serbia (94-86).

K.-O. standing at the start of the last quarter after an award-winning basket from Towns (83-67, 34th), Italy finally launched the revolt, led by Marco Spissu (17 points, 4 assists). The transalpine leader brought his own to five points with twenty seconds to play but the Dominicans did not tremble on the free throw line. The Italians will play their qualification in the second round against the Philippines on Tuesday.

2023-08-27 10:44:57
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