FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 Day 2 wrap: Slovenia take down next favorite (Lithuania), Sweden win in OT, Sarr registers triple-double
Another day at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 and another day of upsets and fantastic individual performances. Slovenia took down Lithuania; Sweden won in OT; and Dame Sarr had a triple-double.
Phew, what a first two days for the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 as Day 2 provided more upsets - Slovenia chopping down Lithuania a day after defeating Spain and Sweden beating Greece in overtime - as well as more fantastic individual performances including a second triple-double in two days.
When is a surprise no longer a surprise? Ask Slovenia
We start the Day 2 wrap with a question to the Slovenia fans out there: Are you thrilled about your team’s incredible start to the tournament or are you hoping the team doesn’t anger too many people and use up their upset bullets?
Just a day after shocking Spain 83-79, Slovenia wreaked more havoc in Group D with a 100-95 victory over Lithuania. In the span of two days, Slovenia defeated two of the competition’s main title contenders and the two 2006-born generations that played in the Final of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2022 - with Lithuania beating Spain.
Slovenia built and then lost a 10-point lead and then came back from a 10-point deficit and remained in control of the game in the fourth quarter. Urban Kroflic had another masterful showing with 20 points - on 8-of-13 shooting including 4-of-5 from long range - 5 rebounds and 5 assists. And Vit Hrabar and Mark Padjen both added 15 points for the 2-0 team.
Lithuania have put themselves in a very dangerous spot with a 0-2 record and their final game against Spain on Monday. If Lithuania lose that game and Serbia top Group C then we will have a Round of 16 matchup between Lithuania and Serbia.
Lithuania star Kasaparas Jakucionis poured in 24 points with 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks but that production was not enough, especially because Slovenia shot 54.8 percent for the game including 42.3 percent from long range.
Spain do not slip up, roll past Finland
Speaking of Spain, they made sure there wouldn’t be another surprise as they thrashed hosts Finland 78-56. The Iberians finished the deal in style, allowing just 9 points in the fourth quarter.
Mario Saint-Supery had another remarkable showing as he collected 26 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals one day after registering a triple-double. Hugo Gonzalez stood out as well with 16 points for the leader.
Finland got 11 points from Elmeri Abbey but they were not enough for another surprise after they beat Lithuania on the opening day. Both teams are now 1-1.
Dazzling Dame produces triple-double for Italy over Israel
Italy bounced back from their opening day loss to Serbia by fighting off Israel 89-80 for a 1-1 record in Group C - also the mark for Israel. A big reason for that was a dazzling performance by Dame Sarr, who produced the second triple-double of the tournament - following Mario Saint-Supery of Spain on Day 1 versus Slovenia - with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists.
The duo of Leonardo Valesin and Diego Garavaglia both hit 3 three-pointers and scored 15 and 13 points respectively for the winning side. Ben Saraf led Israel with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
Serbia blow game open in third quarter
The other team in the group is Serbia, who improved to 2-0 after a 93-82 victory over winless Latvia thanks to a strong third quarter. The reigning champs took the third frame 21-11 to pull away after a tight first half.
Savo Drezgic was lethal with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals while Aleksa Dimitrijevic scored 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. Rolands Sulcs paced Latvia with 20 points and Kristers Skrinda added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Sweden prevail in overtime after wild game
What a rollercoaster of emotions in this matchup between Sweden and Greece in Group B - the Swedes looking for a 2-0 mark and Greece hoping for a first victory. In the end, it was Sweden who were left celebrating with a 91-81 victory in overtime.
Casper Pohto scored 24 points, Julius Price had 20 points and Samuel Obenjo picked up 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Swedes.
Greece, who got 24 points and 11 rebounds from Panagiotis Pagonis and 23 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists from Eleftherios Liotopoulos, raced away to a 19-point lead but then watched Sweden come right back and build an 11-point cushion with 7:44 minutes left in regulation. The Greeks answered with a 12-0 to pull back ahead and it was tight the rest of the way.
Sweden’s Nathaniel Nzonyansi made just one of two free throws with 11.9 seconds left to miss a chance to tie the game but Neoklis Avdalas returned the favor with 7.4 seconds to go as Greece were up 79-77.
Instead of playing tough defense, Greece appeared to foul on purpose with 5.5 seconds left as Pagonis fouled Nzonyansi well beyond the three-point line. Nzonyansi stepped up and made both free throws to tie the game and the contest went to overtime.
The Swedes scored the first seven points of the extra session and Isak Homelius delivered the dagger corner three-pointer with 78 seconds left for an 89-81 lead.
Denmark no match for France
Next up for Sweden will be a massive test against France, who wasted no time and blew out Denmark 109-79 to a 2-0 mark in Group B. France led 32-20 after 10 minutes and then scored 36 points in the second quarter against the winless Danes.
Noa Essengue scored 21 points to pace five French players in double figures while Nolan Traore picked up 7 points, 9 assists and 3 steals. Frederik Erichsen scored 15 points to go with 5 rebounds and 7 assists to lead Denmark.
Belgium summer of love continues
Don’t look now but Belgium are a perfect 2-0 in Group A after surviving a major comeback attempt by Türkiye in a 77-73 victory.
Belgium nearly lost an entire 19-point cushion but held on in the end. Jarne Elouna and Kirill Abramovitch both split free throws in the final 10.1 seconds for Belgium. Elouna led the way with 15 points and Corentin Efono added 14 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
Türkiye were paced by Kaan Onat with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals for the 2007-born guard who was named to the All-Star Five at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024.
This is just the contiunation of what can be called the “summer of love” for Belgium, who reached the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U20 EuroBasket earlier this month - though they ended up finishing only fourth. But they started the U18 event with two wins and are rolling.
Germany leave no doubt, cruise past Croatia
Germany showed why they are serious podium contenders with another convincing victory, cruising past Croatia 99-70 in Group A. The Germans were on fire in the fourth quarter with 34 points as Croatia fell to 0-2. And now Germany hope to make it 3-0 as they take on Belgium.
The German guard duo Jack Kayil and Christian Anderson both scored 20 points and Hannes Steinbach tallied 16 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks for the winners. Josip Pavkovic scored 14 points for Croatia.
What’s on the schedule for Day 3?
How can you look at the schedule for Day 3 and not automatically see that Spain vs Lithuania showdown? What a massively important game - as previously mentioned.
There are also two showdowns of undefeated teams: Belgium vs Germany and Sweden vs France.
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