By Eurohoops team/ info@Eurohoops.net
Italy already made a huge step with a 92-82 win over Germany and can hope to qualify in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Basketball tournament, while the Czech Republic lost a big chance to do the same, but still got the 84-78 win over Iran.
In Group B, Italy closed out the game with a 12-0 run, and the 10-point difference, in the end, was their largest lead in the game.
Simone Fontecchio (photo) had 20 points, Danilo Gallinari scored 18, Stefano Tonut added also 18, while captain Nicolo Melli finished with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Maodo Lo’s 24 points off the bench go to waste for Germany, which now needs at least one big win over Australia and Nigeria in their two remaining games in order to advance.
In Group A, the Czech Republic was on the verge of doing exactly that, getting a point difference that could make them from the get-go on the worst-case scenario one of the two best third-place teams which will advance.
However, even if they lead by 22 and entered the last quarter leading by 21, Iran managed to trim their lead even to four points in the closing minutes of the game. In a group that includes also France and the USA, the Czech Republic may have already lost its chance for qualification.
Patrik Auda with 16 points and Blake Schilb with 14 led the charge, while Tomas Satoransky shot just 2/14 FG for just six points, but finished the game with eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals.
For Iran, Behnam Yakhchalidehkordi scored a game-high 23 points.