Five minutes of illusion and then Lithuania's superiority emerges even more clearly than expected. In San Juan, Italy lost badly (64-88) and said goodbye to the dream of going to the final to try to enter the Paris Olympics. The Lithuanians will have their chance against the hosts Puerto Rico who beat Mexico with a peremptory 98-78.
Without Fontecchio, but also without real centers (and it's not like Tessitori would have been of much use) Italy tried to surprise Lithuania with a good start (8-4) but everything turned upside down as soon as Grigonis started his show ( 6/8 from three in the first 25 minutes) and the Lithuanians used their greater size to dominate in rebounding, 40 recoveries under the boards against 25 for the Azzurri.
Having suffered an 11-0 break and finished below, Italy was no longer able to re-emerge. It ended up -10 in the 14th minute, it had a reaction of pride dragged by Gallinari who brought it to -2, but once Lithuania took off again it was the middle of the night: 38-47 at halftime and - 15 in the third quarter. Also because several Italians played subpar, including a resigned Spissu, and tactically coach Pozzecco was unable to limit Lithuania's excessive power.
The scoreboard
Italy: Spissu 2, Mannion 6, Abass, Tonut 6, Gallinari 15, Melli 10, Ricci 6, Bortolani, Caruso ne, Polonara 7, Pajola 4, Petrucelli 8. All. Pozzecco.
