Again a one-team game when New Zealand on the court. A new Haka and a new blowout. But, anyway, we have to be pleased about the attitude of the Tall Blacks on and off the court. They have played their best, though their quality is far away from the other's team ones, they have focused always on playing, despite of the difference on the scoreboard, happy of being here and compete against some of the best at their age. Besides, they have been the real show off the wooden court: have signed autographs, have been taking pictures with the kids... and even dancing the Macarena!
Thus, Italy had an easy win, again with great numbers from Polonara and Gentile.
Finally we saw the first big surprise in the tournament. Russia was too relaxed after beating Spain the day before and they paid it with the defeat. Germany was intense throughout the entire game and managed to beat the strongest team until then.
Philipp Neumann wasn't afraid of the quality displayed by Ivan Lazarev the first two days and outdueled the Russian center. Lazarov went early into foul trouble with three in the first quarter and Germany took profit of it. Besides, Russia couldn't count on Antipov, who had his nose broken the day before.
Falko Theilig made the rest with his quickness and score capabilities from the point guard position. However, Germany needed to beat Russia by at least 13 points to grab the first spot of the group. Three wasn't enouhg... unless Angola could beat Spain!
Spain 76 - Angola 61
... And it almost happened. Angola leaded as long as 30 minutes, against a team that couldn't find the way to play against the athleticismof the African team. Miguel Kiala, a lanky but powerful center was a nightmare for the Spanish defense.
With Jean Jacques Conceiçao on the Angolan bench, everybody was recalling the "angolazo", when back in Barcelona '92 Olympics, Angola beat Spain with Conceiçao as the leader of the team.
But, finally, Spain found its way and came back to beat Angola, leaded by Miguel Lorenzo (center of Unicaja Malaga) and Miki Servera.
The Czechs have improve through the tournament to become a respectable rival. France had lots of problemas to get the W against a team leaded by, arguably, one of the best players of the competition: Ondrej Kohout.
The power forward gave a real lesson of what basketball IQ is against the French team. He may be a little bit undersized (he is less than 2.00m tall) but his lack of centimeters is well compensated by his intelligence and skills. He is able to score from every range, to block shots against taller centers, to pass the ball...
Nevertheless, France managed to finally find a way to impose their quality and better physical quality with Babacar Niang and Crislain Cairo, and they'll play the Final game after having win the 3 games of the Round Robin group.
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