Canada wins the bronze medal and completes Team USA’s failure at the FIBA ​​World Cup

Canada Appease this Sunday United State (118-127) and won a bronze world After a very close game that was decided in extra time, the team left “Team USA” Without a medal for the first time since 2002, thanks to the great performances of Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Many are betting on the final match between… United State And Canada. Some said that only one of them would make it to the big title match. There were few who thought they would provide the spectacle that a match of this caliber represents in the fight for medals. But that was it, an unexpected duel of Bronze Among the favorites, the two combined NBA Already qualified for the Olympics, he only fought in a very tight encounter for the honor of victory.

Because the two losses in the semi-finals to Serbia and Germany were a disaster considering the level of the two teams. The match at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila (Philippines) was presented for third place as a perfect ‘bronze’ opportunity to make amends and send a cautionary thought in the Olympic key.

And he went Canada Who managed, without suffering, to redeem herself and obtain the honor of third place after a battle against the world power of this sport. She was also the first to send a letter of interest to her continental colleagues.

The “Dream Team” was unable to stop Canada’s movement, led by Jordi Fernandez, which was fast, accurate and effective, which made it 25-34 at the end of the first quarter, with the United States of course beginning to appear in the match.

Five minutes all or nothing in extra time

Specifically, it was Dillon Brooks who finished the first half with some great marks (21 points and 5/5 on threes) and who led off the first quarter with two baskets to make it 0-5. Canadian hegemony benefits from United State The calm situation turned into a +10 lead (13-23) four minutes before the end, which angered Steve Kerr on the bench. “Team USA”with his face blurring before his onset.

But despite the rebuke, ‘Dream Team’ Trading cannot be stopped Canada By Jordi Fernandez, quick, accurate and efficient who made it 25-34 at the end of the first quarter, with the USA starting to come into the game.

Kerr’s halftime talk in the locker room must have resonated with the players because… United State She came out determined to fight. A 12-0 run (19-2 including the end of the first quarter as well) turned it into 40-36. United State He was already there. The match began again with an exchange of blows that ended with the score 56-58. The only thing that the Americans could not stop at that start was the scoring of Dillon Brooks, who added a new hat-trick, the sixth in his personal tally.

Although soon after, at the end of the third quarter, Canada I found the seams again United State In defence, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the controls, he showed superiority and left quality details in every possession, Canada They once again had a double-digit lead (80-91) to face the final quarter with some rest, and not everything was decided yet.

but United State She wasn’t willing to leave the game like this. He wasn’t ready to pull off “another upset,” and as he had done in the second quarter, he reset hard, going on a 7-0 run to make it 91-94. Canada is starting to feel on the ropes and the United States is much lighter.

Haliburton’s hat-trick extended the set to 10-0 and tied it at 94. Edwards joined the party and extended the lead with a basket to 12-0 and 96-94. The return was completed in less than five minutes. CanadaHe, who outperformed him by a large margin, succeeded in stopping the bleeding after a rebound from Dort that added two calming points (96-96).

With four minutes to go, the match was tied at 100 points. The result was maximum. Every mistake is punished, every success is a hit on the table that can be decisive. Brooks’ seventh trilogy (105-106). Edwards responded with a powerful shot to the basket. Brooks (39 points) tied again with a free throw (107-107) after the first failed. In less than a minute, Alexander-Gilgeous rose to put the Canadiens ahead with a move, although he was applying it the entire time. world, It seems untenable (107-110).

It was 108-111 at the time, when it seemed that way United State It was hopeless when Bridges appeared to miss a free throw, grabbed the rebound, went to the three-point line and tied the game, leaving 0.6 on the clock (111-111). Oleinik tried from long range but the match went to extra time. Five minutes of all or nothing for bronze.

It’s starting to be better again Canada They led in two by six points (112-118), with Shay unleashed (31 points), smiling after his baskets, knowing that he was the chosen one at this moment. A six-point lead that Canada did not escape this time. RJ Barrett’s hat-trick confirmed the victory (118-127). Canada appeased the always fearsome “Team USA” and concluded a remarkable World Cup with a bronze medal. The United States, for the first time in 21 years, since the 2002 World Cup, was left without a medal.

data sheet:

118. USA (25+31+26+29+7): Mikal Bridges (19), Jalen Brunson (13), Anthony Edwards (24), Josh Hart (10), Walker Kesler (6) – starting lineup – Paolo . Banchero (-), Tyrese Haliburton (6), Brandon Ingram (-), Cameron Johnson (3), Jaren Jackson Jr. (-), Bobby Portis Jr. (14), Austin Reeves (23).

127. Canada (34+24+33+20+16): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31), RJ Barrett (23), Lojoentz Dort (11), Dillon Brooks (39), Dwight Powell (4) – starting lineup – , Kelly Olynyk (11), Kyle Alexander (-), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5), Zach Eddy (0), Phil Scrubb (0), Melvin Ejim (3), Trae Bill Hines (-).

Referees: Antonio Conde (Spain), Julio Anaya (Panama), Takaaki Kato (Japan). Booby Portis JR (USA) was disqualified due to two technicalities.

Incidents: The match corresponding to the fight for third place in the 2023 FIBA ​​World Cup was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila (Philippines). (Effy)