2023-09-01 10:31:00
Serbia and Italy crossed swords for this match, and in this little game… it was the Italian outsider who came out on top once morest Serbia, yet favorites despite the absence of Nikola Jokic, too busy to live the fast life in Sambor.
For the stats sheet, it’s here
The Transalpins started this match with a bang, in the wake of an incandescent Marco Spissu behind the arc, and the Azzuri quickly took the lead. But the Serbs, particularly skilled in going to scratch free throws, gradually pick up the score to finish the first quarter only four lengths behind Italy, 19-23. The second quarter is an exchange of blows, Italy and Serbia yo-yoing the score. But it was Bogdan Bogdanovic’s teammates who finally left with the lead. The back of the Hawks sends an award-winning shot at the buzzer (his only match of 13 attempts) to send everyone back to the locker room with a score of 42-40.
Bogdan Bogdanovic is never late! ⏰#FIBAWC x #WinForSrbija ???????? | #TissotBuzzerBeater pic.twitter.com/Yzz4BGUTgX
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023
But from the start of the second half, Serbia shows its fangs and literally bones the Italians, haggard as if they had eaten pineapple pizza. Nikola Jovic & co. send an 18-4 to widen a nice gap with the Squadra Azzura, the collective is much stronger than a Simone Fontecchio who tries everything but remains a little too lonely, as evidenced by this 7-0 that he inflicts alone on the Serbs for waking up teammates who are finally getting in tune. Luigi Datome scored two award-winning baskets in the final minutes, and now Italy came back to 3 points at the dawn of the last 10 minutes of the match. And during this final period, Simone Fontecchio will walk on water to finish the match with 30 points at 11/15 on shots while Bogdan Bogdanovic tore the sheet with 18 points but at an infamous 4/16 on shots. The last Serbian possession is to be shown in all prisons, as its management has been catastrophic. A good old sausage sent to 11 meters to try to snatch the win, it will not be. Victory for the Azzuri 78 to 76, and a nice crack for Serbia. No Banchero? No problem.
Simone gets all the love ????
A big-time performance (30 PTS, 7 REB) in a huge W vs. Serbia earns him all the love from the Azzurri ????????#FIBAWC x #WinForItalia pic.twitter.com/LsPAn1Sh0f
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) September 1, 2023
The Italians create the sensation and hit Serbia, Simon Fontaine and his friends will meet Puerto Rico this Sunday at 10 a.m. (French time), while the Serbs will be opposed to the Dominican Republic, the same day at 2 p.m.
Simone Fontecchio today once morest Serbia: 30 points at 11/15 shooting, 9/11 at two points, 2/4 at three points, the guy was splendid.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 1, 2023
A crack of Serbia in the money time, not the first time it happens. Just missing a Nenad Krstic who swings a chair in the public and we are good.
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 1, 2023
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#Italy #surprise #Serbia
