DAY 6: OH (AND 5) CANADA
- Updated: September 2, 2010
China are through to Round 2 but Canada and Tunisia end the FIBA World Championships without a win as the group stages come to an end in Turkey – and the last-16 draw is confirmed.
And there are bound to be questions asked by the Canadians, who go home with an 0-5 record following their 89-57 hammering at the hands of resurgent Spain.
Rudy Fernandez led the Spaniards with 19 points and 5 rebounds while Barcelona centre Fran Vazquez added 19 and 5 as their side set up a clash with Russia in the next round. The Russians defeated Greece 73-69 to earn the dubious reward of a meeting with the reigning champions.
Tunisia, by contrast, were in the toughest group but they produced a spirited display to finish their campaign against the USA, daring to take an early lead before – inevitably – being blown out 92-57. Eric Gordon led the unbeaten Americans with 21 points and his side will now meet Angola – who lost 76-55 to Australia – on Monday in their last-16 tie.
“In practice we have to get better,†said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “In these next few days, we have to get better. We have had eight games in 13 days and coach would tell you that when you have a lot of games, there is slippage.
“So we have to take care of slippage but I know our guys want to take care of that. We are going to play Angola on Monday night, we need to be ready for that and remember it’s one and done. If you don’t win, you can’t win it. It’s kind of like the NCAA tournament.”
The Australians will meet Slovenia in the last 16 while China – coached by ex-Leicester boss Bob Donewald – will meet Lithuania in Round 2 after Ivory Coast failed by an agonising 1 point to push up their basket difference against Puerto Rico, winning 88-79.
Serbia beat Argentina 84-82 to win Group A while former Chester Jets forward Pero Camero sparked New Zealand to a famous 82-70 victory over France to claim third place in Group D and set up a showdown with Russia in Istanbul.
So the last 16 bracket is confirmed as:
4/9: 18.00 Serbia v Croatia / 21.00 Spain v Greece
5/9: 18.00 Slovenia v Australia / 21.00 Turkey v France
6/9: 18.00 USA v Angola / 21.00 Russia v New Zealand
7/9: 18.00 Lithuania v China / 21.00 Argentina v Brazil (Times are local: BST+1)
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