The opening day of the 2014 FIBA World Cup has arrived, and mini game reports will be put up throughout the day along with opinions from our writers here.
TalkBasket’s Alberto Perez Reyes is in Seville covering the group stages with John Hobbs joining the party in Madrid for the second round onwards.
Group A
Egypt 64-85 Serbia
Serbia began Group A with a routine 85-64 success over Egypt in Grenada. They got off the blocks quickly with a 21-13 lead and never looked back.
Milos Teodosic led the Serbians with 15.
France 63-65 Brazil
Free throws from Marquinhos Viera with a second left handed Brazil a vital 65-63 victory over European champions France when it looked like they might have lost it all-together.
The South Americans kept their composure and came out deserved winners. Marcelinho Huertas top scored for the winners with 16 points.
Iran 60-90 Spain
Hosts Spain brought the opening day of the FIBA World Cup to a close with a comfortable 90-60 win over Iran.
Pau Gasol exploded for 33 points as Spain eased their way to victory against the the FIBA Asia champions.
Group B
Croatia 81-78 Philippines (OT)
Croatia got off to the winning start that many expected, but not in the fashion that was thought as they needed overtime to see off a stubborn and determined Philippines side 81-78.
After taking a shock lead with two minutes left, many thought the Asians might pull off one of the great upsets in basketball history, but Croatia stood firm and forced overtime. From there, as the extra five minutes wore on, Croatia’s fitness and strength shone through, seeing off a remarkable effort from the Philippines.
Puerto Rico 75-98 Argentina
Argentina got off to an impressive start at this year’s World Cup by beating Puerto Rico 98-75 in thanks mainly to a quick start and Luis Scola’s 20 points.
Just when it looked like the Puerto Ricans were about to make a comeback, Argentina pulled away for good in the third quarter – which sealed the win.
Greece 87-64 Senegal
A Greece team missing such stars as Vassilis Spanoulis and Kostas Koufas beat Senegal 87-84 to end a thrilling day of basketball in Seville.
The Greeks held the African nation to single digit figures in the first two quarters as they breezed to victory. Kostas Kaimakoglou led Greece with 20 points.
Group C
Ukraine 72-62 Dominican Republic
Ukraine were comfortable 72-62 winners over a poor Dominican Republic side who have little to offer other than Al Horford, who is missing through injury.
Pooh Jeter shot the ball well from deep and led the victors with 16 points.
New Zealand 73-76 Turkey
Turkey have Oguz Savas to thank for their 76-73 come-from behind win over New Zealand in the second game in Bilbao.
Savas led Turkey with 16 points in their win, although the Tall Blacks will be asking themselves how on earth did they let that slip away.
USA 114-55 Finland
Despite the “home advantage”, Finland were given a basketball lesson by the world champions, USA, as the favourites held the Nordic nation to just two points in the second quarter, en route to a 114-55 win.
USA led for the majority as they start their campaign with a win.
Group D
Angola 80-69 Korea
African giants Angola showed their overall class by easing to an 80-69 win against a Korea side who clearly looked nervous, which affected their performance.
The Asians missed countless uncontested lay-ups and threw up horrible jump shots en route to a mere 18 points at the half, and while Angola didn’t fare better themselves, they built a comfortable double-digit lead and never looked like surrendering it.
Yanick Moreira secured a double-double for the Angolans with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Australia 80-90 Slovenia
Slovenia outlasted a strong Australia side in the second game by beating them 90-80.
A slow first half cost the Aussies, but boosted the Slovenians as 21 points from Goran Dragic helped Slovenia to victory.
Mexico 74-87 Lithuania
Eurobasket runners up Lithuania continued on from their impressive World Cup warm-up campaign with an 87-74 win over a tough Mexico side.
It was Mexico that got off to the better start, as Lithuania were flat, offensively. The Mexicans led 27-22 after the first quarter as they took their open chances and ran the floor successfully against a static Lithuanian defensive line.
Lithuania though hit back and comfortably won the second and third and claimed their first victory of the tournament.
Jonas Maciulis hit 19 points to lead Lithuania.
