Group L: Georgia survive Netherlands scare thanks to big three, Spain, Italy grab wins
Georgia needed everything they could muster and still just barely knocked off Netherlands in their quest for their first FIBA Basketball World Cup. Spain and Italy also grabbed victories in Group L
MUNICH (Germany) - Georgia needed everything they could muster and still just barely knocked off Netherlands to avoid a costly slip-up in their quest for their first FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Group L's final World Cup spot will be decided on the final gameday of the European Qualifiers and Georgia remain in the driver's seat. At the top of the standings, Spain and Italy both secured wins to set up a battle for first place.
Group L
15/18 games played
| GAMES | GAME POINTS | POINTS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Team | P | W | L | % | For | Agt | +/- | FA | AA | |
| 1 | Spain(1) (2) | 9 | 8 | 1 | 88.9 | 755 | 631 | 124 | 83.9 | 70.1 | 17 |
| 2 | Italy(1) | 9 | 7 | 2 | 77.8 | 809 | 768 | 41 | 89.9 | 85.3 | 16 |
| 3 | Georgia(2) | 9 | 5 | 4 | 55.6 | 718 | 734 | -16 | 79.8 | 81.6 | 14 |
| 4 | Iceland | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44.4 | 706 | 765 | -59 | 78.4 | 85 | 13 |
| 5 | Ukraine(2) | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.3 | 739 | 741 | -2 | 82.1 | 82.3 | 12 |
| 6 | Netherlands | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 656 | 744 | -88 | 72.9 | 82.7 | 9 |
Big three carries Georgia past Netherlands
Georgia survived a massive scare to start the final window of the European Qualifiers as fended off a spirited Netherlands 88-80 on the road. The eastern Europeans were carried to a 5-4 record thanks to their big three of Thad McFadden, Toko Shengelia and Giorgi Shermadini - who combined for 67 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.
The game was back and forth throughout the first half with Keye van Der Vuurst draining three three-pointers and then Yannick Kraag poured in 9 points in the final 2 minutes for a 42-35 advantage at the break. The cushion was up to 45-35 early in the third quarter but McFadden, Shermadini and Shengelia got Georgia back close and an 8-0 run spanning the final two quarters made it 67-62.
Netherlands actually went ahead 71-70 only to see Georgia respond with the next eight points.The hosts pulled within three points but McFadden hit a dagger fadeaway three-pointer with 38 seconds to make it 82-75.
Thad says: GAME OVER 🎮#FIBAWC x #WinForGeorgia pic.twitter.com/io2ivOXQDP
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 23, 2023
Shengelia had 25 points and 6 rebounds, Shermadini scored 22 points and McFadden added 20 points. No other Georgia player had more than 7 points. Kraag finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds and Keye van der Vuurst tallied 20 points and 8 assists in the loss.
Spain extend win streak to six, Iceland still alive
Spain showed their class with an 80-71 victory over Iceland to extend their winning streak to six games to remain atop Group L with an 8-1 record. Nothing has changed for Iceland, who fell to 4-5 but are still alive for their first World Cup berth if they can beat Georgia in the final qualifier by four points.
Iceland hung tough for 15 minutes as the game was knotted 29-29 before the reigning world and European champions streaked away on a 12-2 run for lead 41-31 and it was 43-33 at halftime. Iceland were as close as seven points multiple times but the deficit was 62-48 after 30 minutes. And Iceland did not challenge in the fourth quarter.
Miguel Salvo led Spain with 18 points with Pep Busquets scoring 11 points, Joel Parra adding 10 points and Tyson Perez picking up 4 points and 13 rebounds. Tryggvi Hlinason paced Iceland with 13 points.
Mannion, Spissu too much, Italy eliminate Ukraine
Italy remained alive in the fight for first place in the group as they raced away from Ukraine late for an 85-75 home win. Italy improved to 7-2 and Ukraine dropped to 3-6 and have been eliminated from World Cup contention.
Italy built a 10-point lead in the first quarter but Ukraine immediately got back into the game and it was tight the rest of the first half. An 8-0 run put Italy up 53-45 only to see Ukraine answer with nine straight points to pull ahead. It went back and forth and the game was even at 60-60 when Marco Spissu and Nico Mannion combined for 12 points in a 17-1 surge to lead 77-61 and decide the game.
DEATH. TAXES. MARCO SPISSU TAKING OVER IN THE 4TH.#FIBAWC x #WinForItaly pic.twitter.com/8srnBYjGe0
— FIBA Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 23, 2023
Mannion poured in 28 points with 6 assists and 4 steals and Spissu added 21 points and 7 assists in the win. Issuf Sanon had 15 points in the loss.
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