Greece snatched the last of 16 tickets for the second round of the Basketball World Cup after a flamboyant last quarter against New Zealand (83-74) in a double or quits match on Wednesday in Manila. Five other countries validated their qualification on this last day of the first round: Serbia, Georgia, Brazil, Slovenia and Puerto Rico. They join Canada, Latvia, the United States, Spain, Lithuania, Montenegro, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Italy and Australia.
The Greeks, deprived of their star Giannis Antetokounmpo who withdrew from the competition three weeks ago, were behind until eight minutes from the end. Before delivering a last period of fire, won 33 to 20, carried by their winger Ioannis Papapetrou (27 pts including 8 in the last quarter). They take second place in group C behind the United States who, already assured of finishing in the lead, crushed Jordan (110-62) by stretching all their legs: the 12 players scored (22 pts for Anthony Edwards, best scorer).
Still in the Philippine capital, Serbia validated a qualification that was hardly in doubt by signing a third victory, against South Sudan (115-83) distanced at half-time (56-39) by Bogdan Bogdanovic (23 pts at 6/9 from long range and 9 assists). She finished top of Pool B, ahead of Puerto Rico who, after the Sudanese defeat, only had to secure against China (107-89).
No surprises in Okinawa either, with Slovenia and Georgia qualifying. Facing Cape Verde, who were playing their direct place for the 2024 Olympics, the Slovenes of Luka Doncic (19 pts, 1/8 to 3 pts) struggled for almost three quarters before accelerating (92-77 ) to ensure their qualification, which is also almost guaranteed at kick-off.
They finish first in Pool F ahead of Georgia, who started off on their feet against Venezuela to get their ticket (42-23 at the break, 70-59 in the end).
The selection of the Caucasus, which is playing its first World Cup, was once again carried by its captain and star player Tornike Shengelia (25 pts and 7 faults caused). Finally in Jakarta, Brazil got scared against Ivory Coast (89-77), came back to five points three minutes from the siren (79-74) before conceding a 9-0, including a shot award-winning Yago Santos (24 pts overall). The Auriverde finish behind Spain, victorious over Iran (85-65).
