By Michalis Gioulenoglou/ info@eurohoops.net
Limassol, Cyprus – Italy had already secured qualification before the tip-off, but the game was a real battle for survival, decided by the young blood of both teams. When all was said and done, Italy got the 67-63 over Spain, which is in danger of ending the Eurobasket in two days.
After this result, Italy is tied with Greece with a 3-1 record, which needs to beat Spain in the last round to secure the top spot in the Group C standings. If Spain loses to Greece and Bosnia beats Georgia, then Spain will finish 5th in the standings.
Saliou Niang finished the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks before twisting his ankle in the last period, while Mouhamet Diouf, with 14 points, was the top scorer. Simone Fontecchio, after his 39-point night, had eight points on 2/10 FG.
Santi Aldama, with 19 points, and Sergio De Larrea, with 16 points, were the top scorers of
Despite a 13-0 start by Spain, the game soon turned into a dogfight with Italy entering the last five minutes leading by two (57-55), and the score was tied at 62 three minutes later after a three by Aldama.
With the game on the line, De Larrea made one of two free throws (63-62), Marco Spissou made two (64-63) to give Italy the lead with 31 seconds left. Willy Hernangomez missed the next shot for Spain, Spissou got the ball, and also an unsportmanlike foul by Joel Parra. He made two more free throws (66-63), Giampaolo Ricci made one more (67-63), and the game was over.
Italy is facing Cyprus in the next game and needs to beat the hosts and Spain to beat Greece in order to finish on the top spot of the group.
Photo credit: FIBA