FIBA World Cup 2023: Canada dominate Slovenia to book semi-final spot
The North Americans did a stellar job of limiting Luka Doncic's influence in a thrilling game, before pulling away in the second half of the match and securing their place in the final four.
Basketball
Canada basketball team secured their place in the 2023 FIBA World Cup semi-finals with a powerful 100-89 win over Slovenia on Wednesday, 6 September.
The Europeans went into the game in Manila off the back of a 100-71 humbling at the hands of Germany, but were vastly improved at the start of this quarter-final.
However it was Canada, who secured an impressive 88-85 win over Spain in their previous match, who edged an even first quarter 26-24 thanks to their superior accuracy inside the three-point line, and ability to limit the influence of Luka Doncic with physical defence.
But the tournament top-scorer would not be denied, drawing contact with almost every touch and posting several impressive scores to bring Slovenia level at 50-50 at the second quarter buzzer.
The North Americans looked the less fatigued team in the third, opening up a 14-point lead at one stage as Slovenia's attacking accuracy waned. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett became particularly effective for Canada.
Doncic cut an increasingly frustrated figure in the final quarter as his team fell further behind, and was eventually ejected from the game with six minutes to go due to two technical fouls.
Despite a late rally from Slovenia, Canada managed to close out the game and secure their place in the semis against Serbia, at Manila's Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, 8 September.
Slovenia will now compete for one of four Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualifying spots available through the FIBA Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, to be held in 2024.
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