By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Italy experienced their first defeat in this round of friendly games in preparation for the EuroBasket, which came rather unexpectedly and can function as a valuable lesson for Simone Pianigiani’s players! With an impressive outbreak in the second half, and a separate score of 27-50(!) in this period, Ukraine beat Italy 75-77 in Koper.
An outcome that in no way could be prejudged from the way the first half developed. With a 18-0 streak, Italy took the lead 24-7 in the first quarter, then got to +23 (42-19) and at halftime they were leading 48-27.
As the game resumed Ukraine fought back, cut the deficit down to 59-48 in the 30th minute and tied the score for the first time (63-63) in the 35th! From that point on the game was a derby. With a 5-0 streak at the most crucial point and a three-pointer by Zaytsev, Ukraine took the score to 71-74. The Italians went to the free throw line in order to stop the clock, but nothing changed and Ukraine drove their opponents to their first defeat.
Jerome Randle was the MVP of the winners with 23 points and 6 assists, while Mishula had 14 points. Zaytsev got 12 and the excellent Fesenko finished the game with a double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds. For the defeated, Bargnani got 22 points and Belinelli 21. Luca Vitali will not continue training with the Italian squad and was “cut” due to a knee injury.