The Slovenian national basketball team defeated Italy 89:85 today and won seventh place at Mundobasket.
The Slovenians equaled the best result, because nine years ago in Spain they finished in seventh position.
Italy led for most of the first quarter, and in that period had eight differences (12:4), but at the end of the second quarter, Slovenia made a 9:0 run, took the lead 37:36 and maintained the advantage until the last minute of the game.
In the third quarter, when Zoran Dragić was halved from the penalty spot, Slovenia had a maximum of 13 points (63:50). But, four minutes before the end of the game, Spagnolo scored after an offensive jump and Italy equalized (76:76), but at the end of the last minute, again after an offensive jump, Rici was accurate, so Italy took the first lead after the finish second quarter (85:83).
Čebašek retaliated with a three-pointer (86:85), Slovenia then defended itself and preserved the victory.
Today's match was the last in the career of Gidji Datome, who had previously announced that he would say goodbye to basketball at Mundobasket. Three minutes and 26 seconds before the end, the Italian representative left the game with a standing ovation.
The most effective player for Slovenia was Luka Dončić with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. The Dallas basketball player also had nine turnovers.
Mike Tobi finished the match with 12 points, and Zoran Dragić with 10 points.
For Italy, Marko Spisu was the best with 22 points. Simone Fontecchio scored 16 points.
Bonus video:
