Italy hand Lithuania first loss, take another step closer to first FIBA World Cup since 2006

BRESCIA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Italy took a big step towards reaching its first FIBA Basketball World Cup since 2006 as the Azzurri handed Lithuania their first loss of the European Qualifiers with a 70-65 victory at home in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,200 in Brescia.

Awudu Abass scored a team-high 13 points while Achille Polonara had 11 points as Italy improved to 7-2 in Group J - and moved even closer to ending their World Cup drought. Lithuania, who came into the game having already qualified for China 2019, dropped to 8-1 despite 15 points and 6 assists from Mantas Kalnietis while Jonas Maciulis chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Turning point: Lithuania had been fighting to stay close but Brian Sacchetti nailed the huge dagger three-pointer with 33 seconds left to make it 66-60 - in front of the fans in Brescia, where the 32-year-old forward plays his club ball.

Game hero: Luca Vitali nailed 2 three-pointers in scoring 7 points but also collected 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals - another Brescia player coming up big.

Stats don’t lie: Italy out-rebounded Lithuania 40-36 including grabbing 18 offensive rebounds. The hosts also turned the ball over just 6 times - off-setting shooting just 37 percent from the field.

Bottom line: Italy moved a big step towards booking a ticket to China 2019 - something they can do with a victory on Sunday at Poland. Lithuania will look to their home fans in Vilnius to return to their winning ways as they host Croatia.

They said: "It was important. We changed the defense in the second quarter because they played so clear and were making open shots. We decided to switch on everybody. And we had a special effort on the rebounds. In the second half we suffered on defense because we were not aggressive. We started again to play stronger. All the players made a great effort for their teammates and the rebounds. We only made 6 turnovers - that’s important. We didn’t shoot great, but we won the game because my players are tough." - Italy head coach Meo Sacchetti

"I am so happy for the team for this game. It was so important for us. It’s difficult to practice two days and play, but I am so happy because everybody was ready to fight, to play. And the game was really difficult. But in the difficult moment we stayed together. We started to play smarter, slower. We tried not to make turnovers. The game went well, I am happy. "
(About playing at Brescia, where he plays his club ball): "Maybe it’s a little bit easier but it doesn’t change. Every time I wear this jersey I am so hyped, so focused, so ready to play because since I was a teenager it was my dream to play these kinds of games. If I am here I am just ready to fight, ready to play. And I try to be ready every time." - Italy’s Awudu Abass

"We can talk about a lot of different things but the main thing before this game was to control the early game for Italy. In the first half they scored like 15 points on the fast break. We just didn’t do it. The second thing was we were supposed to control our boards - they took 18 offensive rebounds and that is 18 extra offenses and those two things were the key. They scored too many easy points." - Lithuania head coach Dainius Adomaitis

"First of all, congratulations to the Italian team. This game was really physical. It was a tough game. We faced a team that was going very aggressively for the offensive rebounds. That was the main thing that we could not control - our defensive boards. And with so many second chances, that’s how they won this game. That’s it. Nothing else. We lost the fight." - Lithuania’s Jonas Maciulis

FIBA