2024-07-05 08:03:19
The Slovenian national team needed to beat the New Zealanders by at least 12 points to reach the semi-finals.
The Europeans would progress to the next round as winners of Group A if they win the deciding game by 29 or more points and then beat the Croatians.
On the other hand, a win by less than 12 points against New Zealand would eliminate Slovenia from Olympic contention.
The Slovenian basketball players, who started the match powerfully, were ahead 27:9 after ten minutes of the game, and at the beginning of the second quarter they led 39:22.
Then Luka Dončičius had already scored 15 points. However, New Zealand fought back after the knockdown and the team went to rest with the Slovenians leading only 46:39.
In the third quarter, Slovenia ran away again 60:43 and tried to control the situation, and L. Dončičius led the Slovenians forward, scoring 26 points. Before the decisive quarter, Slovenia was ahead 77:57.
During the fourth quarter, the New Zealanders tried to change the course of events, but 5 minutes before the match. Slovenia was ahead 87:65 with 2 minutes left in the game. – 93:75.
L. Dončičius scored a triple-double – he scored 36 points (9/25 shots), 11 rebounds, 10 assists and 37 utility points in 35 minutes.
Slovenia: Luka Doncic 36, Josh Nebo 20 (12 rebounds), Klemen Prepelic (8 assists) and Gregor Hrovat 14 each.
New Zealand: Shea Ili 28 (10 off), Izayah Le’Afa 12, Flynn Cameron and Tyrell Harrison (7 off) 8 each.
So, in the end, Croatia won the first place in Group A, the Slovenians came second, and the representatives of New Zealand, who are going home, came third.
Dominican Republic, Greece and Egypt are playing in Group B.
2024-07-05 08:03:19