By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
In a late thriller in Berlin, Italy beat Germany 89-82 in extra time (76-76), and qualified to the knockout stage while the Germans are on the verge of elimination.
Consecutive field goals from Dennis Schroder brought Germany a step away from a much-needed win, but Danilo Gallinari hit a jump shot with 4.6 seconds to go and led the match to overtime (76-76). In extra time, it was a close derby with consecutive lead changes but a three-point shot from Marco Belinelli (17 points, 4/14 from the three point range), 25 seconds before the end, gave the Italians the victory, as Dirk Nowitzki’s team didn’t have time for a big comeback.
Italy’s coach Simone Pianigiani said afterwards: “It was a great basketball game and very difficult for us because many of our players were so tired from the big effort they made yesterday. Congratulations also to Germany, they play a good tournament but this is really a bad group.”
Gallinari was the top scorer for the winners with 25 points (and nine rebounds), with three more players in double figures, while Schroder had 29 points and seven assists for the losing squad, as Nowitzki added a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds).
“The character of our team showed itself and despite the loss I am proud of how the guys presented themselves and fought till the end. At the end, they make a couple of shots, we miss a couple of shots, the game goes the other way,” said Chris Fleming, coach of Germany.
Now, Italy will square off against Serbia for the first place of the group, whereas Germany needs to win the game against Spain to retain their hopes to advance to the next round.