According to what happened in the first phase, that in which (86-90), the start of the round of 16 of the Eurobasket has resulted this Saturday without great surprises, because they advanced to the next round all the national teams that had occupied the privilege positions in groups A and B of the continental tournament.
First it was Türkiye’s turn, which, directed from the bench by the always volcanic Ergin Ataman, bent Sweden with more difficulties than expected (85-79). The third quarter of the match was differential, the only one who fell from the Turkish side (26-13), and the contribution of Alperen Sengun, a dominant 23-year-old pivot who, nicknamed Baby Jokicand with a contract in the NBA Houston Rockets until 2030, contributed 24 points, 16 rebounds and six assists for a total of 34 valuation.
He took over the current world champion, Germany, which although Portugal won with a blunt result, at least in appearance (85-58), it was not until the last quarter when he managed to distance the Plusos with a partial of 33-7. , the Germans stood out one more day thanks to their choral version, with several players in double scoring digits: Isaac Bonga (15), Maodo Lo (12), Tristan da Silva (11), Franz Wagner (16) and Dennis Schröder (16).
Lithuania did not want to be less and, in the evening duel, the most matched of the day, knocked down the tricky of the imposing Kristaps porzingis (88-79). The 34 points and 19 rebounds of the former Boston Celtics pivot served, now in the Atlanta Hawks. Nor does the unconditional support of the thousands of fan fans who crowded the Riga pavilion, headquarters of all the round of 16. The men of kurtinaitis rhymes were better and, with the offensive contributions of Arna Velickka (21), Azuolas Tubelis (18) and Deividas Sirvydis (18), confirmed their return to the quarterfinals of the Eurobasket ten years later.
In the last turn of the day, the great favorite, Serbia, faces the Finland of Lauri Markkanen without Bogdan Bogdanovic, injured in the first phase of the tournament., Those of Svetislav Pesic play, one more day, with the pressure of knowing that, despite favoritism, they have never won a Eurobasket with their current flag (they did Denomination of Yugoslavia).
This Sunday, in any case, the remaining four duels of the round of 16 are disputed. First it will be the turn of the most difficult encounter to decipher from the day, the Poland-Bosnia (11.00). It will be later, with the morning clash already determined, when three of the great favorites are seen short to look for the ticket to the next round. First, at 14.15, France, current Olympic runner -up, the faces will be seen against the Georgian team, executioner of Spain in the group stage held in Limasol (Cyprus). Then, starting at 17.30, it will be measured in a high -voltage match to the Italian national team, another of those responsible for the elimination of those of Scariolo. Finally, from 20.45 in the afternoon, and with Antetokounmpo again on stage, Greece and Israel will play the last ticket for the quarterfinals of the Eurobasket.
