Top 5 upsets in World Cup tune-up games

MANILA (Philippines) - The FIBA Basketball World Cup doesn't tip off until August 25, but some of the participating teams have already served up some upset in the preparation games.

Let's count down the five biggest surprises in the tune-up games!

#5 - Italy get one over Serbia, again

August 9: Italy 89-88 Serbia

Okay, Italy have beaten Serbia in the big games of late, including in the Round of 16 at FIBA EuroBasket 2022. Yet in the FIBA World Ranking Men, Serbia are No. 6 and Italy No. 10.

 

And their Acropolis Tournament showdown on August 9, Serbia opened up a 17-point lead, only to cave in. This could end up being a result that helps both teams, from bolstering the Azzurri's confidence to giving a wake-up call to Serbia.

#4 - Canada's statement of intent against Spain

August 17: Canada 85-80 Spain

Spain are the defending champions, No. 1 in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike and always formidable at home.

Yet against Canada, who were 21st at the World Cup 2019, didn't reach the tournament in 2014 and were 22nd out of 24 teams in 2010, it was the team from the Americas that got the upper hand.

 

Granted, this is a different Canada that is stacked with NBA talent, including All-NBA First Team guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and New York Knicks star RJ Barrett, but Spain didn't win, and they didn't pull any punches, either.

It was potentially a defining win for Canada, one that would have filled the players, and their Spanish coach Jordi Fernandez, with confidence just a week before before the start of the World Cup.

#3 - Latvia bulldozes Markkanen-less Finns

August 16: Latvia 94-57 Finland

The result did not come as a shock but the final score was a surprise. Kristaps Porzingis was injured, didn't play and is missing the World Cup, and fellow big Anzejs Pasecniks was rested, yet No. 29 Latvia beat No. 24 Finland, though Finnish star Lauri Markkanen didn't suit up either.

Shouldn't the Finns be more competitive than this? Surely not a confidence booster ahead of "Group of Death" games against Australia, Germany and Japan. Maybe it's a wake-up call!

NBA sharpshooter Davis Bertans, playing for the first time in the friendlies for Latvia, scored 11 points in the 37-point beatdown.

 

#2 - Watch out, Big KAT on the loose!

August 18: Dominican Republic 94-88 Canada

Karl Anthony Towns made a big splash in his first game for the Dominican Republic in a decade with 20 points, the same amount scored by another new sensation of the team, LJ  Figueroa.

Canada won't be hitting the panic button after falling in Granada since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett sat in the second half yet the fire and emotion displayed by Che Garcia's winning team was to be admired.

The only thing more impressive than the Dominicans' effort against a star-studded Canada was the support given by the Dominican fans, who cheered wildly from start to finish.

#1 - Brazil outgun the Boomers

August 16: Australia 86-90 Brazil

The Boomers captured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and are supposed to be better than ever with the addition of Josh Giddey, who had 20 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.

But the one-two punch from Ulm's title-winning campaign in Germany this past season, Bruno Caboclo (20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Yago Santos (9  points, 8 assists), and 17 points from veteran sharpshooter Vitor Benite, were decisive for Brazil in Melbourne. Brazil were rewarded for their ball movement, efficient shooting and cool heads down the stretch.

"Great victory, in a friendly of the highest level," Benite said. "Congratulations to the group, we played a great game. But we need to understand that it's just a friendly and we have a lot ahead of us."

Expect more upsets and surprises at the World Cup. And if you think you've figured it all, test your expertise with the J9 Prediction Game and click on the image below.

 FIBA