FIBA World Cup Enters Knockout Phase

Madrid (PNA/Xinhua) — The final day of group games Thursday in the FIBA Basketball World Cup finally decided which 16 sides qualified for the knockout stages, but also decided the draws for the last 16.

Hosts Spain ended Group A with a 100 percent record after defeating Serbia 89-73 in a game that had its moments of tension between two competitive sides.

The Spanish finished ahead of Brazil, who enjoyed themselves by beating minnows Egypt 128-65, the biggest score of the tournament to date, in a game that was as good as over as Brazil racing into a 37-10 lead.

Iran is joining Egypt among the first few countries scheduled to go home, but not before they gave an almighty fright to the French as they took a 23-13 lead that would have seen them qualify at France’s expense had they maintained that advantage.

However, France woke from their lethargy and were in front by the end of the second period before finally winning by a nervous 81-76 and they will now play Croatia for a place in the quarterfinals.

Group B ended with Greece, who came into the tournament on a wildcard, keeping a 100 percent winning record, as leaders after they defeated Argentina 79-71 by withstanding a typical Argentinean fightback in the last quarter.

Argentina scored 10 consecutive points to cut deficit within 2 points before the Greeks pulled clear once again.

The Greek’s reward for their win was a tricky tie against the Serbs for a place in the quarterfinals, while Argentina will now have to face traditional rivals Brazil in the next round.

The Philippines are out of the tournament despite beating Senegal 81-79, mainly due to a 24-5 score in their favor in the second quarter.

Senegal knew a win would seal their place in the last 16 but were left waiting to see whether Croatia would beat Puerto Rico or not to know if they would qualify.

Croatia duly complied with an easy 103-82 win over Puerto Rico, who bowed out of the tournament, but Senegal must now face hosts, Spain in the last 16.

In Group C, the U.S. found themselves 24-20 down to an under-pressure Ukraine, before reacting in the second quarter and steadily pulling away before finally winning with a convincing 95-71.

Once again the Americans showed they have an ability to turn on their game and blow rivals off court, but that they will have to retain focus for the full 40 minutes in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises in the remainder of the tournament.

The Ukraine’s defeat sees them the shock losers in the group, while the Dominican Republic qualify in third place after losing to Turkey 77-64.

Turkey will play Australia, while the Dominican Republic have a tough game against Slovenia.

Finland are going home after losing 67-65 to New Zealand and the Finns will be left to reflect on what might have been after beating the Ukraine and a last quarter fight-backs against the “Tall Blacks” that left them agonizingly short of taking the game into overtime.

Meanwhile New Zealand qualify in fourth place and will play Lithuania in the next round.

Group D began with Slovenia and Australia both qualified for the last 16, although the Aussies seriously took their eye off the ball, crashing to a 91-83 defeat to Angola, for whom Yanink Moreira scored a tournament best 38 points to give his side a chance of qualifying and which caused the Slovenia coach, Goran Dragic to publicly question Australia’s display.

However, Angola’s joy was short lived as Mexico’s 87-71 win over South Korea saw them leapfrog above Angola and take the last qualifying place in the group, although celebrations of the “12 Warriors” will be tempered by the fact they will now face the U.S. in the last 16.

Finally Lithuania ended Slovenia’s winning streak thanks in part to scoring 12-2, limiting their rivals to just one field goal during the closing minutes of the last quarter. Their 67-64 win saw them overtake Slovenia as group winners.

Following is the draw for last 16:

U.S. vs. Mexico, Spain vs. Senegal, Turkey vs. Australia, Lithuania vs. New Zealand, Slovenia vs. Dominican Republic, Argentina vs. Brazil, France vs. Croatia, Greece vs. Serbia. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/EBP