[Day 3a] Game B/7: Latvia - Italy

[Levenspiel]

Date: 02.09.2011
Time: 17:45 (EEST (UTC+3))
Venue: Šiaulių arena, Šiauliai

[Italian Pride]

today without pressure we'll play better 'im sure of this,but latvia was a good team,i think we suffer but at the end we win this afternoon...

today see if our player have pride or not...

[Silvio]

Italy looks as OK team, but they were unlucky with draw. For me paradox is that Italy didn't lose to Serbia and Germany because of bad defense, Pianigiani did visible steps forward in that department. Offense failed.
On the other side, Latvia looks like bunch of streetballers that are hitting some lucky shots - it have to stop at some moment, perhaps today. Latvia is comically bad in defense. Italian deadly shooters should finally enjoy.

Italy might look bad so far, but that's because they played vs teams strong in the paint - no such weapons in Latvian arsenal.
Italy is 99% out of next round (they need 3 wins out of 3 games + France to lose 2 or 3 games). Today much depends on if defeatism took over Italian team.

Assuming Italians are still in fighting mode, I think they won't be puzzled by Latvian gimmicks and are to comfortably win this by 10 or so points.

[Levenspiel]

On the other side, Latvia looks like bunch of streetballers that are hitting some lucky shots - it have to stop at some moment, perhaps today.

Maybe, but sometimes, actually in the course of a game, it doesn't!

I remember our game vs them in 2001. and many others later. They can get crazy! This is a fun team to watch, and I always feel compelled to support Latvia except when play against us.

[carlo]

I see (and voted) Italy as a favorite, but Italian NBA "stars" must play more unselfish, as a team.
If so, Italy shouldn't have problems winning with a Latvian team that is lacking quality big guys (different from Serbia & Germany). Otherwise, it will again be a difficult match for Italy, with both teams desperately looking for the first win in this very difficult Group.

[Adon]

Italian defense sucks so far in the game.

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

Close game, I think Latvia will win because Italy's coach is crazy watch your language
JPF

[Silvio]

Italy down 31-33 at halftime:

Good thing Italy: they limited Latvia to 33 points.

Bad thing Italy: Italy shooting 30.0% of field goals. That is surreal, France shot 55.0% vs LAT and Serbia 53.6%. I have problem imagining anyone shooting 30% vs Latvia.

Main problem: Italy is bad in defensive rebounding today, at one moment it was Italy 9 def rebs, Latvia 8 off rebs. Stupid 2nd chance points came from it.

I'm cheering for Italy today and now I understand Italian fans about this Belinelli character. I'm cheering for Italy only today and at stake is only 5 points in prediction game, yet he's making me very nervous. Italians have to watch him each year, each game, I wouldn't be surprise if some get ulcer.

Referees are awful ... but luckily they don't favor any team, they make mistakes for both sides equally.

[carlo]

Hmmm, bad game by Italian team so far, wrong choices on shooting (1/9 3s) outrebounded, 2vs10 assists, only hopes are Bargnani keeping on scoring and Latvia players fouls.

[PDanilovica]

Any live stream ppl?? Nothing is written in "Watch Eurobasket Games Online" thread

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/8/188/v-298977.html

Better late than never

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

First time I've ever seen Bargnani play like a number one pick

[PDanilovica]

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/8/188/v-298977.html

Better late than never

I also wrote it late..ty

[jotabilber]

italian federation shold buy more t-shirts, it is unpleasant play like that

[carlo]

Thanks to St Andrew (Bargnani) Italy got a difficult game with a Latvian team that was good along 3Qs but on its knees in Q4 playing awfully and shooting poorly from the FT line.
Finally, Italy deserved this win trying to get it till the end.