September 9 preview: Baltic derby follows up Datome's last hurrah
MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be all about nostalgia on Saturday as the Classification Games will provide us with a local rivalry and our last goodbyes to an old friend.
MANILA (PHILIPPINES) - FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be all about nostalgia on Saturday as the Classification Games will provide us with a local rivalry and our last goodbyes to an old friend.
The day will start with Italy facing Slovenia in the 7th place game, with the Baltic derby of Latvia and Lithuania determining the fate of the 5th spot in the FIBA World Cup.
The Latvia-Lithuania clash we all deserve
These may be brotherly nations. However, once the game starts all bets are off. Elbows may fly, tempers tend to flare and it turns into a fiery contest.
Moreover, the Latvians still have egg on their face after an embarrassing 69-96 loss against Lithuania to close out their preparation game cycle. Think it's not all that? Well, Davis Bertans got disqualified from that particular game.
Things we're looking forward to on Saturday: 🇱🇹×🇱🇻#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/uyj9pjS2di
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 7, 2023
Even though they are frequent preparation game buddies, we honestly were due for a game with stakes. Latvia and Lithuania haven't met since FIBA EuroBasket 2015 (Lithuania won 68-49), with their last true instant classics coming in 2001 and 2003.
First it was Latvia shocking Lithuania in a 2001 elimination game to make the Quarter-Finals. Then Lithuania had their revenge in a 2003 overtime, forever etched in Latvian nightmares with an Arvydas Macijauskas banker three-pointer from the corner.
Twenty years later, we're full of anticipation.
Do Slovenia spoil Datome's farewell?
Luigi Datome wants to finish the World Cup strong as he will say goodbye to the national team after his 203rd game for Italy.
However, he has Slovenia in his way, with Luka Doncic playing an astounding 37 minutes in their Classification Game loss against Lithuania. Head coach Aleksander Sekulic afterwards confirmed that Luka Legend is still consumed with the need to compete.
C’è solo un capitano and the game is not ready to move on from him 💼 🎯#FIBAWC x #WinForItalia 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/lUrTJld9cR
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 7, 2023
Same is true for Datome who recorded a new single-game World Cup record for himself with 20 points against Latvia on Thursday. Sure you want to step aside, Gigi?
Slovenia would certainly like to bounce back after giving up 100 points in two games in a row. There's also the trivial matter of Doncic getting enough points to stay in front of Jordan Clarkson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as this World Cup's top scorer.
We're in for a fun ride on Saturday.
FIBA