Slovenia beat the previously undefeated Italy 84:77 in their first game of the second round of EuroBasket in front of a packed Stožice Arena on Thursday to take an important step towards the quarter-finals of the tournament
* Stožice Arena, 10,000, referees: Lottermoser (Germany), Latisevs (Latvia), Mogulkoc (Turkey)
* Slovenia: Lakovič 2, Balažič 2, Joksimovič 2, Murić 3, Blažič 3, Nachbar 13, G. Dragić 22, Z. Dragić 15, Lorbek 5, Vidmar 9, Begić 8
* Italy: Aradori 10, Gentile 20, Belinelli 11, Diener 5, Cusin 10, Datome 16, Cinciarini 5
* Free throws: Slovenia 16/21, Italy 19/20
* Two-point shooting: Slovenia 25/50, Italy 14/40
* Three-point shooting: Slovenia 6/18 (G. Dragić 2, Murić, Nachbar, Z. Dragić, Lorbek), Italy 10/21 (Datome 4, Gentile 2, Belinelli 2, Cinciarini, Diener)
* Rebounds: Slovenia 44 (30 + 14), Italy 29 (24 + 5)
* Personal fouls: Slovenia 25, Italy 23
* Fouled out: Lorbek (39.)
It was a nervous first quarter for Slovenia, as Italy opened a 4:0 lead and did not lose the lead all the way until early in the second period, when centre Gašper Vidmar gave Slovenia their first lead (22:21) with a couple of free throws.
The teams exchanged leads until late in the second period, when Slovenia went on a 6:0 run on the wings of centre Mirza Begić to end the first half leading by six (45:39).
The Italians threatened early in the third quarter, narrowing Slovenia's lead to one point (49:48), but a 9:1 run which saw four different players score gave the home team a cushion enter the final quarter.
The real show was staged in the last period, with brothers Goran and Zoran Dragić keeping the Italians at a safe distance and bringing Slovenia a much-needed win in the hunt for the quarter-finals.
Goran Dragić was the star of the match, scoring 22 points for Slovenia and adding six assists, while Zoran Dragič scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Italy's leading scorer was meanwhile forward Alessandro Gentile with 20 points.
Slovenia will play their next match on Saturday against Finland, and will conclude the second round with a match against Greece on Monday.
Source: The Slovenia Times
