Slovenia breathed a sigh of relief. New Zealand cried because it failed to pass Slovenia despite its unexpected defeat in Croatia. 메이저사이트
Slovenia's men's basketball team won 104-78 against New Zealand in the final Group A qualifying round for the 2024 Paris Olympics men's basketball qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece on the 5th (Korea Standard Time).
Slovenia, which suffered a 16-point defeat by Croatia in its first match, needed a 10-point win over New Zealand to secure a berth to the semifinals, which is given to two of the three teams as New Zealand beat Croatia in its next match.
Luca Doncic, who showed a tearful fighting spirit even though he was not in his normal physical condition, shone. Like the first game, his fielding sense fell, but he recorded 36 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, recording a triple-double. On top of that, naturalized big man Josh Nebo supported him by achieving 20-10 with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
New Zealand was hampered by a tight schedule of back-to-back games. Shayley played hard to score 28 points, but failed to prevent a complete defeat.
Slovenia got off to a flying start. They blocked New Zealand's attack with two points for more than six minutes in the first quarter. Doncic, who did not cover his scoring routes with three-pointers, mid-range shots and even under the basket, showed strong enthusiasm by sweeping double-digit scores from the first quarter, and Slovenia ended the first quarter with a 27-9 lead.
However, Slovenia's advance to the semifinals was not smooth. New Zealand followed suit step by step in the second quarter, while Slovenia's defense, which had been well-established in the first quarter, showed signs of faltering. Slovenia, which had difficulty in supporting the team in the outside world, finished the second quarter 46-39 after being chased by a gap of up to five points at one point.
Slovenia in crisis re-energized in the third quarter. Doncic and Gregory Hrobat took turns scoring to regain pace. Slovenia, which took a breather, was excited as Clement Prefelich hit a series of 3-pointers. The third quarter ended with Slovenia leading 77-57.
There was no significant turnaround in the fourth quarter as well. New Zealand, which was eliminated if it lost by more than 10 points, had a 15-point lead, but Slovenia ran away again thanks to Nebo's performance.
Slovenia, which has found some leeway, is leading by more than 20 points in order to secure the top spot in the group by reducing the goal difference, but it has even created a rare scene in which it attempts a foul operation. However, Doncic's last 3-pointer turned a blind eye to the rim, and Group A was ranked first by Croatia, second by Slovenia, and third by New Zealand.
In the ensuing match, top-notch NBA superstar Luka Doncic and Yannis Antetokounmpo will face off for the final spot as Greece clinches the top spot in Group B. The losing team will not be allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics.