By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
In the semifinals of the 2023 Trentino Basket Cup ahead of the FIBA World Cup, Italy managed to beat Turkey 90-89 despite an incredible full-court shot by Sadik Emir Kabaca to force overtime at 75-75.
For the winning home side, Simone Fontecchio led his team with 21 points. Olimpia Milan’s Nicolò Melli and Stefano Tonut contributed with 9 points each, while Matteo Spagnolo scored 7 with 3 steals and 4 assists on his former team’s court.
On the losing end, which will feature from 12-20 August in Istanbul for the Pre-Qualifying Olympic Tournament, Omer Yursteven dominated under the basket with a double-double of 23 points and 20 rebounds, while Furkan Korkmaz contributed with 16 points. Houston Rockets‘ Alperen Sengun didn’t play a single minute for Ergin Ataman’s national team.
Sadik Emir Kabaca with the full-court shot of the year to force OT in Turkey’s friendly game against Italy 🤯pic.twitter.com/88Hbz7ScnU
— Cesare Milanti (@cesaremilanti) August 4, 2023
Earlier in the day at the BLM Group Arena, Sasha Djordjevic’s China beat Cape Verde 86-66 to qualify for the 2023 Trentino Basket Cup final thanks to 18 points coming from Cul Yongxi in just 16:52 minutes of playing time. On the losing end, Walter Tavares had a rough night with 6 points and 8 rebounds, while Ivan Almeida had a losing effort of 20 points.
Both national teams will play at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. China will be in Manila to face Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan in Group B, while Cape Verde is set to face Slovenia, Georgia, and Venezuela in Okinawa’s Group F for their first-ever participation in the International competition.
PHOTO CREDIT: Italbasket