Defending champions Spain advanced to the round-of-16 at the basketball world championship on Wednesday and, more surprisingly, so did Angola.
Angola made the last 16 four years ago, but it began this year’s tournament with a 50-point loss to Serbia. It kept improving, however, and they rallied from a 10-point deficit late in the game to stun Germany 92-88 in overtime on Wednesday.
“We made history for Angola today,” coach Luis Magalhaes said. “My players never give up, they are warriors.”
PHOTO: EPA
Spain came into the tournament as the reigning world and European champions and Olympic silver medalists. They lost two of their first three games and only made sure of advancing by defeating Lebanon 91-57.
Marc Gasol led Spain with 25 points and Fran Vasquez added 15.
Because the winners of each of the six-team groups have an easier draw in the single-elimination round in Istanbul, at least on paper, it means Spain could run into the US in the quarter-finals.
The US beat Spain for the Olympic gold medal in Beijing two years ago, but no players from that US team have returned to play at the worlds.
Still, the Americans made sure of winning Pool B by cruising past Iran 88-51.
The US and Iran may have tense political relations, but there was no tension on the court in Istanbul. There was no suspense, either, as the Americans quickly established control.
“We just respected their basketball team and we just played a basketball game,” US coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “There’s no political aspect in my mind in the ballgame.”
Kevin Love scored 13 points and Kevin Durant 12 for the undefeated Americans, who will meet the fourth-place team from Group A in the round-of-16.
In that group in Kayseri, top-ranked Argentina were to play Serbia for first place yesterday. Joining Angola in the second round were Australia, despite losing 94-79 to Serbia on Wednesday. Argentina later won their fourth straight by defeating winless Jordan 88-79.
Croatia beat Tunisia 84-64 and Slovenia edged Brazil 80-77 as the winners — and Brazil — joined the US in the last 16.
Lithuania beat France 69-55 to win Group D and New Zealand — 71-61 winners over Canada — join Spain in the next round, with France also advancing.
In Group C in Ankara, hosts Turkey stayed perfect after four games, but only just, edging Puerto Rico 79-77 after trailing for three quarters.
Greece booked a place in the round-of-16 by cruising past Ivory Coast 97-60, while Russia beat Canada 89-80 to do the same. Puerto Rico need to beat Ivory Coast to advance over China, who were to play Turkey yesterday.
Angola had never beaten Germany before and it looked like history would repeat itself when Germany held a 10-point margin with less than four minutes remaining.
However, Joaquim Gomes sank a three-pointer to put Angola within six, Felizardo Ambrosio stole the ball for a dunk and after both teams wasted their next two possessions, Ambrosio made another three to make it a one-point game. Heiko Schaffartzik made one free-throw, but Olimpio Cipriano sank both to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, Schaffartzik’s three-pointer got Germany within three with six seconds remaining, but Ambrosio then made both free -throws to secure the win. Ambrosio finished with nine points and seven rebounds.
Olimpio Cipriano scored 30 points for Angola and Gomes added 16 points and 14 rebounds.
“This win means a lot for Angola, because basketball is so big in our country,” Gomes said.
Nenad Krstic returned from a three-game suspension for a pre-tournament brawl in Greece and had a double-double in Serbia’s victory over Australia. Krstic scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds, Milos Teodosic added 19 points and Novica Velickovic contributed 18 points and nine rebounds for Serbia.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely