PARIS, 4 July 2021 (AFP) – Brazil lost to Germany in the final of the Split Pre-Olympics this Sunday and failed to qualify for the men’s basketball tournament at the Tokyo Games, with Italy and Slovenia beating other knockout tournaments And won the place.
Germany defeated the Brazilian 75-64, who defeated Mexico in the semi-finals of the pre-Olympics on Saturday.
Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner led Germany with 28 points and six rebounds. In the Brazilian team, only the experienced Andersen Varejo (38 years old) with 14 points, managed to respond at a good level to the imbalance, but this was not enough for his team.
In Belgrade, Italy defeated Serbia 102–95, a somewhat misleading result as the match was dominated by spectators.
Mayo Sacchetti’s team relied mainly on the good work of Aquile Polonara (22 points, 12 rebounds), Nico Manion (24 points) and Simone Fontecio (21 points).
Led by star Luka Doncic, Slovenia qualified for the Games after beating Lithuania 96–85 at the Kaunas Pre-Olympics.
In Tokyo, Slovenia will play host Japan in Group C as well as Spain and Argentina, the current world champions and runners-up.
The first half (52–52 at halftime) of the two teams, led by their NBA stars Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valencius, was a very balanced first half by the home team, Doncic in the Visitation.
In the second leg, Slovenia picked up the pace in the 30th minute with an 80–69 advantage, which they did not waste any more.
Despite defending himself with two or three players at times, Doncic was once again brilliant with a spectacular triple-double (31 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists).
The final men’s basketball pre-Olympics, which guarantees a final place, will end this Sunday in Victoria (Canada), with a duel between Greece and the Czech Republic.
Therefore the four pre-Olympics ranked only European teams.
Prior to these tournaments, eight teams won their places: the host country (Japan) and seven through to the 2019 World Cup (Spain, Argentina, the United States, Australia, Nigeria, Iran and France).
— Results of this Sunday’s Men’s Basketball Pre-Olympic Finals:
In Kaunas (LTU): Slovenia x Lithuania 96-85
In Split (CRO): Germany x Brazil 75-64
In Belgrade: Italy x Serbia 102-95
In Victoria (CAN): Greece-Czech Republic (pending)
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