34
19:34
With the Gli Azzurri, everything is working! Achille Polonara also marks three points from the right three-man line and makes a 13:2 run for his team perfect.
34
19:32
Now Italy is even ahead! Apparently, Marco Spissu can no longer be stopped and shoots the next three into the round. In return, Marko Gudurić fails from a distance and slowly puts Serbia under pressure.
33
19:31
Serbia allows themselves turnovers again and again and thus keeps Italy in the game. Nikola Jokić’s team isn’t always up to par in defense either.
32
19:30
Very confused phase on both sides – but after around 90 seconds Marco Spissu plucked up courage again and placed the ball in the basket from afar.
31
19:28
The final section of the game in Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena is underway – which nation will make it into the quarter-finals?
31
19:27
Beginning of 4th quarter
30
19:26
Quarter conclusion:
Serbia is still struggling against Italy, but is still ahead by 68:66 after the third quarter! The team around Nikola Jokić has lost both the naturalness and the fluid game at times. On the other hand, the Gli Azzurri have gained the upper hand after being kicked out against coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and are working on the surprise.
30
19:22
Marko Jagodić-Kuridža pulls Serbia out of the hole, at least temporarily, and also nets from a distance. Nevertheless, the momentum lies with Italy.
29
19:20
Now the hut is on fire! Marco Spissu sinks his third three in a row and puts his team in the lead. The Gli Azzurri are currently on a 9-0 run.
28
19:18
Spurred on by the disqualification against Gianmarco Pozzecco, Italy turned up the heat and equalized with a long-range throw from Marco Spissu. Svetislav Pešić immediately takes a time-out for Serbia.
27
19:15
Gianmarco Pozzecco is out! The Italian coach complained vehemently in front of his own bench and was expelled from the hall by the referees. When saying goodbye, he takes his time and hugs each team member individually.
26
19:12
The game of both nations is usually characterized by a more moderate pace. Here, Serbia and Italy are still delivering a completely open exchange of blows and have so far completed a high-scoring match.
25
19:11
Nikola Kalinić spirals into the air on the three-point line, but twists completely and is annoyed by an air ball.
25
19:10
Serbia falls asleep in defense! From the right Marco Spissu pulls under the basket with a nimble attack and takes advantage of the opponent’s carelessness. Heacoach Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team didn’t let up at the beginning of this period either.
24
19:08
NBA star Nikola Jokić takes command on the floor and fires the next three into the round. On the other side, Nicolò Melli counters with a close-range shot.
23
19:07
Both teams are waiting for the first mandatory action after the change of sides. Instead, the ball losses alternate on both sides before Nikola Jokić nets from afar.
22
19:06
Nikola Kalinić immediately opens his bag of tricks and unpacks the alley-oop pass to Vladimir Lučić, who, however, cannot control the ball.
21
19:04
Let’s continue in the Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena! Are the Italians still playing above their means or are the Serbs now showing their true colors?
21
19:04
Beginning of 3rd quarter
20
18:52
Mid-term conclusion:
Serbs, some of whom are a bit slow, can’t completely put their stamp on an open exchange of blows. With a 12-0 run in the first quarter, the Eastern Europeans briefly hinted at their potential. Defensively they had their problems with three strong Italians. The Gli Azzurri deliver a highly concentrated performance and play on the edge of perfection for their standards.
20
18:49
Of course, the threesome is targeted again. Nicolò Melli is not successful this time.
20
18:48
A very important step-back three by Vasilije Micić just before the break. Gianmarco Pozzecco takes the time-out to organize the last possession over six seconds.
20
18:46
Will the drive come, will the throw come? Simone Fontecchio is currently difficult to defend for the somewhat lethargic Serbs.
19
18:45
Both teams have long since reached the foul limit. However, Italy are not at all interested in going for the free throws as long as the throws from the outside work so well.
18
18:43
With Nikola Jokić on the bench, the Serbian weakness continues. Nicolò Melli reduces to four points with the next three!
18
18:40
Fontecchio attacks the close-out and nets for three points! Serbia is only in the lead with 42:36 and takes the time-out.
17
18:39
Simone Fontecchio has been one of the bright spots for the Italians so far, provided that Gianmarco Pozzecco brings him. Strong drive from the ex-albatross! The gap currently remains constant at a good ten points.
16
18:37
Nikola Jokić in a one-on-one against Nicolò Melli. The interesting duel is interrupted, however, as Achille Polonara theatrically falls to the ground in the background and is whistled for flopping.
15
18:34
Nicolò Melli can immediately counter a Jagodić-Kuridža three-pointer. The pace of the game is high and the game is well worth seeing.
14
18:33
A moment of shock for the entire basketball world, Nikola Jokić goes down! The two-time NBA MVP seems to have made a slight mistake on landing, but immediately moves on.
13.
18:32
Marko Gudurić misses two threes, meaning Serbia cannot extend their ten-point lead.
12.
18:31
However, the Azzurri can’t use that at all, Gianmarco Pozzecco gets a technical foul whistled.
12.
18:30
The three from the corner are sitting with the Italians today! Luigi Datome is successful again from the left.
11.
18:29
Even at the beginning of the second quarter, Serbia didn’t really turn up the heat.
11.
18:26
Beginning of 2nd quarter
10
18:24
Quarter conclusion:
Serbia definitely wasn’t at 100 percent in the first quarter, but they still lead quite comfortably. A 12-0 run towards the middle of the quarter was primarily responsible.
10
18:23
Italy cannot use the fast break chance, instead Paul Biligha has to intervene in his own basket again and gives Serbia two late free throws.
10
18:22
Here it comes, the break. But in the next attack, Ognjen Jaramaz is cleared by Paul Biligha!
10
18:20
Maybe Svetislav Pešić should think about a break. His protégés seem a little lethargic right now.
9.
18:19
The Gli Azzurri stay tuned! Luigi Datome, who has just come off the bench, surprises Marko Gudurić with his own basket and cuts to eight points.
8th.
18:15
However, Italy does not give up and continues to score points with fast counterattacks and three-pointers! Nicolò Melli is also currently successful.
8th.
18:15
Original Bayern Munich player Vladimir Lučić is obviously having fun, literally throwing the ball over to Nikola Kalinić on the right in no time at all.
7.
18:13
Italy are already on five team fouls and now threaten to fall further behind from the free-throw line. With “MVP” shouts, Nikola Jokić lifts the ball in twice with confidence.
7.
18:12
Nikola Kalinić starts a soulful threesome from the control center, Simone Fontecchio rushes into him. Kalinić even makes the four-point game perfect!
6.
18:11
That is the mentioned variability of the Serbs. Nikola Jokić has been holding back comfortably so far, while Vanja Marinković is currently completely dominating the match.
5.
18:09
Turn 4:7 into 16:7! Gianmarco Pozzecco has to take a break.
5.
18:09
Again Marinković, this time from the left field. Italy is going much too fast right now.
4.
18:08
However, Serbia has the quality to take over the game within seconds. Vanja Marinković successfully rises to a threesome.
4.
18:06
The fast-playing Italians get off to a good start, take Serbia a little by surprise while moving backwards and get a layup through Stefano Tonut!
3.
18:05
The direction of the Gli Azzurri quickly becomes clear. First Polonara tries again from the left corner, then Simone Fontecchio from the other side. The ex-Berliner is successful and brings his colors back in front!
2.
18:03
Now, however, Italy take the lead with a Polonara three-pointer from the left corner! It will be very important for the southern Europeans to keep the three-point quota high today.
1.
18:02
Serbia grabs first possession and Nikola Kalinić gets the first two points.
17:58
It will also be interesting to see how Italy will manage without home advantage. While Serbia visited Prague in the group stage, Italy played their opening five games in Milan. Here in Berlin, the Serbian fans are clearly in the majority.
17:49
Italy has historically been a successful EuroBasket side, winning the continental tournament twice and making the finals a total of six times. However, the last great success was a long time ago, in 1999 the Blues prevailed in the final against Spain. This year, Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team is only an outsider.
17:40
In addition to Jokić, the Serbs can also count on Vasilije Micić. The 28-year-old, who became MVP of the EuroLeague Final Four with Anadolu Efes, relieves Jokić as a playmaker and has averaged seven assists in the tournament so far. Jokić raved about the interaction with Micić: “It’s wonderful!”
17:32
The Serbian vest still shines white after the group stage. Svetislav Pešić’s team didn’t lose a single game, only Israel made it a bit exciting with a strong third period. Although Nikola Jokić is the star of the team, not everything rests on the shoulders of the NBA MVP: In the 96:69 at the end of the group phase against Poland, six players scored in double figures.
17:23
Have a nice afternoon and welcome to the eighth and final round of 16 at the Basketball World Cup in Germany: Title candidate Serbia meets Italy! It starts at 18 o clock.