Author: Monojit Mandal
Ivory Coast – Brazil – 77:89 (25-23, 21-27, 19-20, 12-19)
The Brazilian team was considered the favorite in the match against the African team, but that didn’t give them the right to relax. Yes, Côte d’Ivoire are only 42nd in the world rankings, but they are a good team. For example, just two months ago, they reached the final of the FIBA AfroCan, losing to Morocco 76-78.
Brazil gradually got into the game. The first quarter saw Gustavo de Conti’s team study their opponents and, as a result, ended with a slight lead for the Africans – 25-23.
But halfway through the second period, the situation changed. The Brazilians led 36-35 going into halftime with a four-point advantage – 50-46. The third quarter was played out in mutual attacks. According to their results, the Brazilians increased the gap to +5 points – 70-65.
Yago Santos was on 🔥 for Brazil, putting up a “double-double” while shooting 86% from the three-point line – earning TCL Player Of The Game honors in the process!
📊 24 PTS | 12 AST | 6 3PM | 4 REB#FIBAWC x #WinForBrasil | #InspireGreatness pic.twitter.com/G3HN9Afqgg
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2023
The final period was very nervy (which is only natural, as access to the next stage of the tournament was at stake). Despite Brazil’s double-digit lead, Côte d’Ivoire continued to press. With five minutes remaining, Dalli reduced the lead to 71-74. Santos created a vital play that resulted in a crucial three-pointer from Bruno Caboclo, followed by his own successful free throws on the next possession. Consecutive three-pointers from Georginho de Paula and Santos increased Brazil’s lead to 85-74, thus ending the Ivory Coast’s comeback with 1:50 to go.
To the delight of Brazilian fans, his team accomplished the minimum task – they qualified from the group. For Brazil, Iago Santos scored 24 points and had 12 assists. Tim Soares scored 15 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. De Paul scored 13 points, Caboclo 12 points and 8 rebounds. Côte d’Ivoire had five players score more than ten points: Ba with 13 points + 13 rebounds, Diabate 12 points, Dally 11.
📺 Brazil holds off Cote d’Ivoire and books their ticket to the #FIBAWC second round. 🇧🇷#FIBAWC x #WinForBrasil pic.twitter.com/J9nZ9K9OB3
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2023
In the other match in this group, Spain beat Iran 85-65 to take first place in Quartet G. Now the fun begins. In the second final round, Spain and Brazil were placed in Group L. Along with them, the best teams in Group H, Canada and Latvia, were there.
Each participant will play two matches. The results of the matches between the teams in the first phase have already been entered into the table. Let’s remember that Brazil lost to Spain 78-96 and Canada beat Latvia 101-75. At the moment, the standings are as follows…
- Canada 6 points (+111)
- Spain 6 (+68)
- Brazil 5 (+35)
- Latvia 5 (+15)
With love, Yago 💌#FIBAWC x WinForBrasil 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/BsmPgHBhlV
– FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2023
Match dates for the second round of Group L finals
September 01
- 6.45 a.m. Spain-Latvia, 10.30 a.m. BRAZIL-Canada
September 3rd
- 6.45 BRAZIL-Latvia, 10.30 Spain-Canada
Spain and Canada were initially considered medal contenders. Newcomers to the world championship, Latvia have already shown themselves to be a formidable force by beating France. Of course, the most reliable way to advance to the 1/8 is to win twice. But if we look at it more realistically, the Canadians will probably beat Brazil, and it’s important not to lose by a big margin. Then you have to beat the Latvians and hope for a better goal difference. Most experts believe that the Brazilians won’t make the playoffs, but everything will be decided on the pitch. Good luck, National Team!
Group composition for the second round
- Group I – Serbia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Puerto Rico
- Group J – USA, Lithuania, Greece and Montenegro
- Group K – Slovenia, Germany, Australia, Georgia
- Group L – Canada, Spain, BRAZIL, Latvia
Third round matches
Group A
- Angola – Dominican Republic – 67:75, Philippines – Italy – 83:90
- Dominican Republic – 6 points
- Italy 5
- Angola 4
- Philippines 3
Group B
- South Sudan – Serbia – 83:115, China – Puerto Rico – 89:107
- Serbia 6
- Puerto Rico 5
- South Sudan 4
- China 3
Group C
- USA – Jordan – 110 – 62, Greece – New Zealand – 83 – 74
- USA 6
- Greece 5
- New Zealand 4
- Jordan 3
Group D
- Montenegro v Lithuania – 71:91, Egypt v Mexico – 100:72
- Lithuania 6
- Montenegro 5
- Egypt 4
- Mexico 3
Group E
- Germany v Finland – 101:75, Australia v Japan – 109:89
- Germany 6
- Australia 5
- Japan 4
- Finland 3
Group F
- Slovenia – Cape Verde – 92:77, Georgia – Venezuela – 70:59
- Slovenia 6
- Georgia 5
- Cape Verde 4
- Venezuela 3
Group G
- Ivory Coast-Brazil – 77-89, Iran-Spain – 65-85
- Spain 6
- Brazil 5
- Ivory Coast 4
- Iran 3
Group H
- Canada-Latvia 101-75, Lebanon-France 79-85
- Canada 6
- Latvia 5
- France 4
- Lebanon 3