Luka Doncic led Slovenia to a decisive victory over New Zealand with an incredible performance, recording 36 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. The win secured Slovenia’s place in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. Slovenia needed a victory by at least 10 points to advance, and they achieved that with a dominant display. On the other hand, Greece, led by NBA All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, also secured a spot in the semifinals with a victory over Egypt. The stage is now set for a thrilling showdown between Slovenia and Greece, where the winner will earn a place in the Paris Olympics.
The matchups for the semifinals are as follows:
– Valencia, Spain: Finland vs. Spain; Bahamas vs. Lebanon
– Piraeus, Greece: Slovenia vs. Greece; Croatia vs. Dominican Republic
– Riga, Latvia: Brazil vs. Philippines; Cameroon vs. Latvia
– San Juan, Puerto Rico: Lithuania vs. Italy or Puerto Rico; Italy or Puerto Rico vs. Ivory Coast or Mexico
The Philippines suffered a narrow defeat against Georgia but still managed to advance to the semifinals in Riga, Latvia. The team faced a logistical challenge as their flights back home were scheduled for Friday. Coach Tim Cone expressed his surprise at their progression and stated, “It’s the first time I’ve felt good about losing.” Despite the loss, the Philippines secured a spot in the next round, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Georgia needed a convincing win by at least 19 points to have any chance of advancing, and they delivered an impressive performance led by Sandro Mamukelashvili and Goga Bitadze.
Finland mounted a remarkable comeback against Poland, finishing the game on a 25-12 run to secure a spot in the semifinals. Mikael Jantunen and Alexander Madsen played pivotal roles in Finland’s victory, showcasing their offensive prowess. Despite being down by 12 early in the fourth quarter, Finland rallied together to keep their Olympic hopes alive with a spirited performance.
A.J. Slaughter and Jeremy Sochan delivered strong performances for Poland, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Finland’s late surge.
Cameroon produced a stunning upset by defeating Brazil and securing a place in the semifinals. Brazil, on the other hand, managed to advance despite the loss due to Montenegro’s absence in the competition. Jeremiah Hill led Cameroon with an impressive display, while Leo Meindl top-scored for Brazil. The result had significant implications on the group standings, with Brazil securing their progression despite the defeat.
Lebanon’s victory over Angola propelled them into the semifinals in Valencia, Spain, with Omari Spellman and Karim Zeinoun leading the charge. The game witnessed a compelling performance from both teams, but Lebanon’s resilience and determination ultimately secured their spot in the next round.
In San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mexico staged a remarkable comeback against Ivory Coast, erasing a nine-point deficit in the second half to secure their place in the semifinals. Paul Stoll and Joshua Ibarra played crucial roles in Mexico’s victory, with a standout performance in the pivotal moments of the game.
The race to the Paris Olympics is heating up, with teams showcasing their talent and determination in pursuit of a place in the prestigious tournament. The semifinals promise to deliver exhilarating matchups as teams vie for a coveted spot in the Paris Olympics. Stay tuned for more updates and results as the competition intensifies.
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