Canada’s FIBA World Cup Journey Ends in Semifinal Defeat to Serbia

Canada Falls in Semifinal to Serbia at FIBA World Cup

In a hard-fought battle at the FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines, Canada‘s journey for gold came to an end with a semifinal defeat to Serbia. The final score was 95-86, with Serbia dominating the game and controlling the matchup against Canada. Despite the loss, Canada still has a chance at history as they will face the loser of the Germany-USA game for a chance at their first ever FIBA World Cup medal.

Serbia‘s Dominance

Serbia set the tone early in the game, starting with an 8-1 run that put Canada on the back foot. Their highly efficient offense, characterized by constant cutting and passing, created open looks and easy opportunities at the rim. Defensively, Serbia proved to be a challenge for Canada with a deep pool of pesky guards, big wings, and a strong center in Nikola Milutinov. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada‘s star player, struggled to score against Serbia‘s point guard Aleksa Avramovic, who proved to be his toughest matchup of the tournament. Additionally, SGA faced foul trouble for the first time in the tournament, disrupting Canada‘s rhythm.

A Glance at the Game

Throughout the game, Canada found it difficult to defend against Serbia‘s sizzling shooting from the field, which stood at an impressive 64%. R.J. Barrett’s scoring kept Canada within reach, but overall, they struggled to contain Serbia‘s offense. In the second half, Canada showed increased intensity and forced Serbia into turnovers, but they were unable to convert on their chances in transition, allowing Serbia to maintain their lead. As both Dillon Brooks and Kelly Olynyk picked up their fourth fouls, Serbia closed the third quarter strongly, extending their lead to 12 points.

In the fourth quarter, Serbia continued to force turnovers and shoot well from the perimeter, pushing their lead to 17 points early on. Bogdan Bogdanovic’s crucial plays, including a sweet euro step lay-up and a backbreaking step-back three, sealed the victory for Serbia. As a result, Serbia advances to the World Cup final for the first time since 2014 and is one step closer to capturing gold once again.

Canada‘s Performance and Hopes for History

Despite the defeat, Canada‘s players put up a valiant effort. R.J. Barrett led the team with 23 points on 8/14 shooting, followed by Dillon Brooks with 16 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 15 points, below his tournament average. Canada will now aim to secure their first ever medal at the FIBA World Cup as they face the loser of the Germany-USA game in the bronze medal match on Sunday.

Canadian basketball history is still within reach, and fans are encouraged to wake up early to support their team. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 a.m. EST, and Canada‘s players and fans alike will have to rise to the occasion to make history.

Canada Beats Slovenia to Advance to Semifinal Round

Before their semifinal loss to Serbia, Canada achieved another significant milestone in their basketball journey at the FIBA World Cup. With a 100-89 victory over Slovenia, Canada reached the semifinal round for the first time in program history. The game was anticipated as a battle of the stars, with Canada‘s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander facing off against Slovenia’s Luka Doncic. The teams traded blows in a high-scoring first half, but it was SGA and Canada who seized control in the second half.

A Memorable Quarterfinal Battle

The quarterfinal matchup between Canada and Slovenia lived up to its expectations, with both teams delivering an exhilarating display of skill and determination. The game saw 17 lead changes in the first half, and Slovenia’s three-point shooting was described as “preposterous.” They shot an astounding 69% from beyond the arc, making nine of their 13 attempts in the first 15 minutes of the game. Luka Doncic led Slovenia’s charge, scoring 17 points on 5/12 shooting by halftime.

On the Canadian side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time getting his offense going, starting the game with a perfect 4/4 shooting. He finished the first half with 13 points on 5/7 shooting. His cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, provided a spark off the bench with 10 points. Despite Slovenia’s hot shooting, Canada kept up, and the game was tied at halftime, 50-50.

Canada‘s Second Half Domination

Following their pattern from previous games, Canada took control in the second half. As their defense tightened and Slovenia’s three-point shooting cooled down, Canada built a double-digit lead with contributions from SGA, Dillon Brooks, and R.J. Barrett. Although Slovenia managed to cut into the lead, thanks in part to Luka Doncic’s step-back triples, Canada maintained an 80-71 lead at the end of the third quarter.

In a bizarre turn of events in the fourth quarter, Dillon Brooks was ejected after burying a three-pointer and receiving his second technical foul. Shortly after, Luka Doncic also received his second technical foul for expressing disagreement with a no-call. Despite Slovenia’s attempts to rally, SGA stayed cool under pressure and delivered crucial buckets to keep Canada in control.

Star Performances and Next Steps

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a standout performance, finishing the game with 31 points on an impressive 8/12 shooting. He also sank 14 of his 16 free-throw attempts, grabbed 10 rebounds, and recorded four assists. R.J. Barrett contributed 24 points and nine rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dillon Brooks each added 14 points.

Canada‘s victory secured their spot in the semifinals, where they faced Serbia. The matchup against the No. 6-ranked FIBA team was highly anticipated and could potentially serve as a preview of the upcoming Olympics in Paris 2024. Regardless of the semifinal outcome, Canada‘s performance at the FIBA World Cup showcased the growth and potential of Canadian basketball.

Conclusion

Canada‘s journey at the FIBA World Cup was memorable and filled with significant milestones. While the semifinal defeat to Serbia was disappointing, it did not diminish the achievements made by the Canadian team. With a chance at a bronze medal still within reach, Canada‘s players and fans are encouraged to remain optimistic and continue supporting the team. The FIBA World Cup has been a testament to the talent and potential of Canadian basketball, and the future looks promising for the sport in the country.