FIBA World Cup 2014 Day 1

2014 World CupThe FIBA World Cup 2014 is underway in Spain and here is all the action from day 1.

Group A
2006 World Cup champions Spain got their 2014 campaign off to a good start by thrashing Iran 90-60 on home soil. The Spanish started the game well, pouring in 27 points during the first frame to take a 27-18 lead after 10 minutes. By halftime the score was 48-33 and Spain controlled the third stanza to open a 20 point lead after 30 minutes (70-50). A 20-10 run in the fourth ensured victory for Spain, who had Pau Gasol to thank for 33 points and 8 rebounds.

Brazil is hunting its first World Cup success since the back to back wins of 1959 and 1963 and started this tournament with a narrow 63-65 win over France. It was the French who set the early pace though, winning the first frame 18-11. In Q2 Brazil found a rhythm and hit an 8-17 run to put the score at 26-28 at the long break. A narrow third frame saw Brazil edge further in front, taking a 41-46 lead into the fourth. France responded by winning the final term but could not take the win.

Serbia impressed in Game 1 by cruising past Egypt with a 64-85 win. The Serbians set a pattern for the game by easing through the opening exchanges to take a 13-21 lead at the first split. It was a similar story in the second quarter as Serbia extended to a 31-43 advantage at the long break. In the second half Serbia continued to press against a struggling Egypt side, racing though the third (12-25) to all but seal the win. A brief fight back from Egypt made it at least a little interesting down the stretch, but the Serbians were out of sight.

Group B
The opening game of the 2014 World Cup for Greece saw the team sweep aside Senegal with an 87-64 victory. The first half proved to be the catalyst for the Greek win as the players put on a fantastic show of defense, streaming in 45 points and holding Senegal to just 17 through the first 20 minutes (18-9, 27-8). Senegal improved greatly in the second half, tying the third quarter 19-19 and winning the fourth 23-28, but paid the price for that awful first half. Kostas Kaimakoglou secured 20 points and 8 rebounds for the Greeks, while Gorgui Dieng had a double-double for Senegal with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Despite plenty of political in-fighting and losing star man Manu Ginobili to injury, Argentina looked good on court and crushed Puerto Rico 75-98. A high octane first quarter saw plenty of action at both ends of the floor, but the Argentines outscored Puerto Rico to snatch a 19-27 lead after 10 minutes. Puerto Rico hit back with a 19-18 victory in the second term, but Argentina controlled the game at 38-45 as halftime arrived. The third quarter proved the difference between the teams as Argentina won the frame 11-24 and then eased down the stretch.

Croatia needed overtime to see off Philippines 81-78 in Seville. A great start for the Croats saw them take a 23-9 lead at the first break, but the Philippines replied in Q2 with a 14-22 frame (37-31 at halftime). Croatia extended its lead in the third stanza to lead 49-57 after 30 minutes. The Asian team finally ate into the lead during the fourth quarter, winning the frame 14-22 to tie the game 71-71 after regulation. In the added frame Croatia outlasted the Philippines to take the game and had Bojan Bogdanovic take 26 points through the victory. Andray Blatche had a double-double of 28 points and 12 boards in the losing effort.

Group C
Tournament favourites the USA got their 2014 World Cup campaign off to a strong start by demolishing Finland 114-55. It was the kind of win that shows why the US are the team to beat again this year as they became the only team on day 1 to break 100 points. Consistent scoring was the name of the game for the USA, while remaining disciplined in defense killed Finland’s attacking options. The second quarter was huge as the US tossed 29 points onto the board, while the Europeans could only score 2 (boxscore: 31-16, 29-2, 29-21, and 25-16).

A close match between New Zealand and 2010’s beaten finalists Turkey saw the Turks emerge victorious with a 73-76 win. New Zealand set an early rhythm and controlled the game during the opening term, taking a 17-8 lead at the first buzzer. Turkey scored more in the second frame, but still lost the stint 21-20 to see New Zealand hold a 38-28 lead at the midway break. The Turks began chipping into that double digit lead in Q3, winning the stanza 18-24 to put the scoreboard at 56-52 with ten minutes to play. A huge 17-24 final quarter from Turkey was enough to snatch the victory.

Ukraine opened its campaign with a hard fought 72-62 win over the Dominican Republic in Bilbao on day 1. A tense and low scoring first quarter saw the Dominican Republic edge the period by 13 points to 12. The scoring hardly picked up in the second quarter, but the Ukraine reversed the deficit with a 15-14 frame to tie the game at 27 apiece after 20 minutes. The consistency around the basket finally picked up for the Ukraine in the third term, and the Europeans opened a 43-40 lead before extending it through the fourth to win the game.

Group D
Lithuania opened its account at the 2014 World Cup with a 74-87 win over Mexico on Saturday. Central American team Mexico took early control of proceedings on the court and leapt to a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. Lithuania responded with a better 10 minutes through the second period, taking the frame 14-23 to lead 41-45 at halftime. The Europeans found another gear in the third quarter and won the stint 12-22 to lead 53-67 after 30 minutes. Mexico took the last quarter, but it was a relatively comfortable final stanza for Lithuania on the way to success.

Group D is arguably the closest in the World Cup, so Slovenia will be delighted to have defeated Australia 80-90 in game 1. The Slovenians looked slick through the first 10 minutes as they dismantled the Australian perimeter, taking a 19-27 lead at the first buzzer. Australia hit back to take the second quarter 24-22, but Slovenia still led 43-49 at the long break. Slovenia extended its advantage in the third quarter by adding three points through a 17-20 run (60-69). In the last term Slovenia outlasted Australia to win the game.

Angola picked up a fantastic 80-69 win over South Korea in Game 1. The African team opened the game in commanding fashion, scoring 16 points and restricting the Koreans to just 6 points in the first quarter. Angola extended the deficit in the second quarter, winning the 10 minutes 20-12 to lead 36-18 at halftime. The first 20 minutes had done the damage, and although South Korea won the third 16-30 to make it 52-48, Angola went again and won the fourth quarter and the game.

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