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

[rusher]

Latvia will have no wins here. Draw put them in strongest group.

But, I don't think they would do much better in other groups either. If this was round robin (23 games, each team against each other), my estimation is Latvia would finish with 2-21 record, 50%-50% game vs Portugal and some chances vs Poland, Ukraine, Belgium and Finland. Other 18 games sure losses. Placement 23rd or 24th, depending on h2h vs Portugal.

Before Eurobasket we won Georgia 84:73 and Great Britain 74:51... these were our last two preparatory games, so I wouldn't say it would all be hopeless... The team has made a long way from the loss to Lithuanian students...

I think we'd have 50-50 against a number of teams.... Today's game, for example, we lost only because of inexperience... missed free throws, rush in the offence in 4th quarter etc. There wasn't any miracles in this game, no Blūms or someone else best game in his/her life, no crazy 3 pointer percentage... just inexperience and 57% in free throws.... 57%...... due to shaking hands, thinking about the possible first win against big team in Eurobasket...


Players were really sad after this game... They knew they could win it... Don't know how it'll be for the last two games as now they are in pretty bad condition...

Of course we are not as good to play Serbia, France yet, maybe even Israel too (they might be better than Italy anyways) but this, imho, was one of these our 50-50 games... I really believe so. And it wasn't just some game... Italians badly needed to win this and Latvia made them work for this win... the fact that italy's two leaders played 36 minutes is the best evidence...

[Silvio]

Italy didn't deserve anything... though, on the other hand Latvia doesn't have players that could win a game like this so in reality it was a predictable outcome... Italy having great players but playing poor team game but at the end it was enough for them to win anyway.

I wonder if Latvia has a chance to get a victory here, Tough group, really tough but maybe we could get lucky against Israel. But as I said... this is not our Eurobasket and probably the next one still won't be... the team needs to grow and mature.

Latvia will have no wins here. Draw put them in strongest group.

But, I don't think they would do much better in other groups either. If this was round robin (23 games, each team against each other), my estimation is Latvia would finish with 2-21 record, 50%-50% game vs Portugal and some chances vs Poland, Ukraine, Belgium and Finland. Other 18 games sure losses. Placement 23rd or 24th, depending on h2h vs Portugal.

[Italian Pride]

but datome the only talented player on the bench that we have why always played such a short?mah...

[rusher]

Finally, Italy deserved this win trying to get it till the end.

Italy didn't deserve anything... though, on the other hand Latvia doesn't have players that could win a game like this so in reality it was a predictable outcome... Italy having great players but playing poor team game but at the end it was enough for them to win anyway.

I wonder if Latvia has a chance to get a victory here, Tough group, really tough but maybe we could get lucky against Israel. But as I said... this is not our Eurobasket and probably the next one still won't be... the team needs to grow and mature.

[Raze Lupin]

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.

I'm pulling for Italy Carlo but your boys need to tough'n up! They have so much Talent!

[Raze Lupin]

Go italy but.....

I'm watching the Latvia vs Italy game. Italy has 5 great players 2 great reserve. Still they have little chemistry, poor defense and NO HEART. Seriously they are a bust. Kudos to the Latvia team. I think Italy is just soft....

I'm glad they won Bargnani was BEAST! Still the Italians are missing toughness on defense and offense.

[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.

[jotabilber]

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

[PDanilovica]

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

Better late than never

I also wrote it late..ty

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

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

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

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

Better late than never

[PDanilovica]

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

[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.

[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.

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

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