Lithuania, US set up semi-final clash
Tournament favourites, US, edge Russia 89-79 to reach the world basketball semi.
ISTANBUL:
Tournament favourites, the US, edged Russia 89-79 to reach the world basketball semi- where they will meet Lithuania who stunned world number one Argentina 104-85.
Old foes Russia who were expected to test the US but a game-high 33 points from Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant made sure it was to be America’s night who were tested early with the physical Russians matching them point for point throughout the first quarter to see scores tied at 25-25.
However their physical approach would end up proving to be to their downfall as they allowed the Americans to take 18 free throws in the first half, 14 of which were converted.
US coach Mike Krzyzewski said, “Their coach David Blatt has had an amazing career coaching in Russia and the way his team played today shows the high quality of coaching he gives his players.”
In the tournament to date Lithuania had already been the surprise package. Needing a wild-card entry just to get to Turkey after a disastrous 2009, the small Baltic nation went into the quarter-finals undefeated, including the scalp of world champions Spain.
They can now add beating the top-ranked Argentina to their list of achievements.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2010.
Tournament favourites, the US, edged Russia 89-79 to reach the world basketball semi- where they will meet Lithuania who stunned world number one Argentina 104-85.
Old foes Russia who were expected to test the US but a game-high 33 points from Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant made sure it was to be America’s night who were tested early with the physical Russians matching them point for point throughout the first quarter to see scores tied at 25-25.
However their physical approach would end up proving to be to their downfall as they allowed the Americans to take 18 free throws in the first half, 14 of which were converted.
US coach Mike Krzyzewski said, “Their coach David Blatt has had an amazing career coaching in Russia and the way his team played today shows the high quality of coaching he gives his players.”
In the tournament to date Lithuania had already been the surprise package. Needing a wild-card entry just to get to Turkey after a disastrous 2009, the small Baltic nation went into the quarter-finals undefeated, including the scalp of world champions Spain.
They can now add beating the top-ranked Argentina to their list of achievements.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2010.