SLO/CRO – Irrepressible Slovenia edge Croatia

ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Croatia hit Slovenia with everything they had and more but there was no stopping the Green Machine from Ljubljana on Monday.

In the frenetic atmosphere of Istanbul’s Abdi Ipekci Arena with the Slovenia fans once again creating a spectacle in Turkey at the FIBA World Championship, Memi Becirovic’s men battled to an 91-84 Group B victory.

The Croatians led by as many as eight points in the second quarter and took a 44-39 advantage to half-time but the Slovenians kept the pressure on.

Bostjan Nachbar had six points in the third quarter, Goran Dragic five and Gasper Vidmar four as Slovenia went in front by nine before taking a 65-59 lead to the fourth quarter.

After a Nachbar basket took the lead to 67-59, Croatia got hot from long range with Marko Popovic, Roko-Leni Ukic and Popovic again nailing three-balls.

That gave the team in red and white a 68-67 lead.

After Primoz Brezec took the advantage back to 69-68 for Slovenia, Marko Tomas buried a three-pointer to put Croatia in front at 71-69.

Miha Zupan answered with a three-pointer from the top of the key for Slovenia to spark an 11-0 run that put the Slovenians in front to stay.

Popovic and Ukic kept Croatia within striking distance by hitting difficult shots, closing the gap to 80-76.

But Slovenia held firm with Samo Udrih coming up with big plays.

Croatia lost the game, and big man Luka Zoric.

In the midst of an outstanding game with eight points and nine rebounds, Zoric fell awkwardly under the Slovenia basket and left the court with an apparent leg injury.

Slovenia improved to 2-1 while Croatia fell to 1-2.

Quotes:

Croatia coach Josip Vrankovic: "We wanted to play hard and a tough game. My team played very well, especially the first half. In the third quarter we had problems with fouls with our big guys and that is why we lost. We didn't get rebounds and we made some mistakes. We tried to play faster in the fourth quarter but we missed some shots and that was the difference."

Slovenia head coach Memi Becirovic: "We played with more energy in the third quarter. We tried to play much more aggressive in defense and more assured on offense. I am very happy for the fans that are here to support us. They are fantastic."
 
Slovenia's Samo Udrih: "It was a very important game for us. In the first half we were a bit soft. We didn't believe in ourselves. The coach told us to step it up and we played more aggressive defense in third quarter. Then we really started believing we could win. The fans were unbelievable today and they helped us a lot."

FIBA