MANILA, Philippines — The United States’ path to the Paris Olympics is secured and they have a quarterfinal match at the World Cup coming up on Tuesday. However, while the U.S. had reason to celebrate, it was the opposing team that came out victorious in Manila on Sunday night.
The Americans’ undefeated summer has come to an end as Lithuania took the lead for most of the game against the NBA-filled U.S. roster. Lithuania dominated the match with perfect shooting from beyond the arc and a strong presence in the paint, outrebounding the U.S. and showcasing outstanding teamwork.
The final score was 110-104 in favor of Lithuania. They hit all nine of their three-pointers in the opening minutes of the game, setting the tone for their impressive performance. With seven players reaching double figures and two others just one point away, Lithuania proved their prowess on the court.
Although the loss does not hinder the U.S.’s goal of winning the gold medal, U.S. coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Lithuania’s brilliance and deserving victory. The U.S. will now face Italy in their upcoming quarterfinal match while Lithuania will take on Serbia.
The other quarterfinal matchups include Germany vs. Latvia and Canada vs. Slovenia, which will take place on Wednesday.
Lithuania celebrated their win but understood that their journey is far from over, with tough competition awaiting them in the quarterfinals. On the other hand, the U.S. team, despite the loss, remains focused on their mission to win the gold medal in the World Cup.
Leading scorers Vaidas Kariniauskas and Mindaugas Kuzminskas contributed significantly to Lithuania’s victory, and they are ready to face Serbia in their quest for a medal. The U.S. team, led by Anthony Edwards with an impressive 35 points, is motivated to bounce back in their match against Italy.
Lithuania has a history of challenging the U.S., with past close encounters and victories against them in major tournaments. Their win over the U.S. in this World Cup is another triumph for the country, proving their strength against the best teams in the world.
Although the outcome of this game doesn’t significantly impact the medal hopes of both teams, it was a thrilling match to witness. Lithuania’s perfect three-point shooting and the U.S.’s comeback attempt added excitement to the game.
With their Olympic qualification secure, the U.S. remains focused on their goal of winning the World Cup. Canada also earned their Olympic spot after ousting reigning champion Spain in the tournament.
Lithuania’s victory highlights the intense competition in the World Cup and sets the stage for the thrilling quarterfinal matches. The U.S. team, despite this setback, is determined to bring their best game in the upcoming games.
TIP-INS
Lithuania: Vaidas Kariniauskas’ playful gesture towards U.S. player Austin Reaves was pre-planned, showcasing the camaraderie between Kariniauskas and Reaves’ brother who played together. Lithuania has now won their last six World Cup games, establishing a strong winning streak.
USA: Anthony Edwards displayed an outstanding performance with 35 points. The U.S. team has maintained an average of 101.8 points in the tournament, aiming to achieve a score of at least 100 points per game for the sixth time in their World Cup history.
UP NEXT
Lithuania: Will face Serbia in the quarterfinals on Tuesday in Manila.
USA: Will face Italy in the quarterfinals on Tuesday in Manila.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
