CRO/CAN – Tough as nails defense leads Croatia past Canada

ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) – Classy Croatia used a sterling defensive effort and excellent shooting to pull away from Canada on Friday in the first quarter-final at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The Croatians held Canada to 27% shooting (16 of 59) from the floor, including nine of 35 (26%) inside the arc and won 83-62 to clinch a place in the last four.

In the semi-finals, Croatia will face the winner of Germany’s clash against Brazil, and the team that prevails in that game will secure a place in the Beijing Games.

Jasmin Repesa’s Croatians broke open a close game early in the second quarter and led by as many as 10 before taking a 36-29 advantage to half-time.

Davor Kus then scored all 10 of his points over the next 10 minutes as Croatia took an unassailable 62-42 lead to the fourth quarter.

“If we’re going to be successful, we’re going to have to keep playing good defense,” said point guard Zoran Planinic, who returned to the line-up after missing Wednesday’s victory over Puerto Rico with the flu.

“As long as we play good defense, we’re going to have a chance.”

Croatia led 20-16 early in the second quarter but Joel Anthony soared in for a dunk and Rans Brempong buried a jump shot to tie the game with 7:44 to go in the first half.

A 7-0 spurt for Jasmin Repesa’s team then gave them a cushion they would carry to half-time.

Sandro Nicevic and Nikola Prkacin had baskets before Marko Tomas drilled a three-ball for a 27-20 lead.

Canada’s Rowan Barrett stopped the bleeding with a jumper from the left corner with his foot on the arc, and Anthony split a pair of free throws only for a Tomas three-point play to extend the advantage to 30-23.

Marko Popovic, who led Croatia with nine points in the first half, extended the lead to 33-23 with another three-pointer but his team ended up taking a 36-29 lead to half-time.

Kus then helped Croatia deliver the knockout blow with all of his points in the third quarter.

He ended up fouling out in the fourth quarter but by then, Croatia had a stranglehold on the game.

“That’s what our coach says, to play defense and even if you commit fouls, don’t worry because there are always players who can come in,” Planinic said.

Popovic had 17 points to lead all scorers. He drilled four of 11 from long range while Croatia hit nine of 23 from behind the arc overall.

Canada, who came from 18 points down in the second half to beat Korea, got 14 points and nine rebounds from Olu Famutimi.

Canada out-rebounded Croatia 41-36, with Joel Anthony pulling down a game-high 11 to go with his eight points.

“We just have to use this as a learning experience and come back stronger next summer for the FIBA Americas Championship,” Famutimi said.

FIBA