The militant New Zealand shocked Croatia and set “fire” in the group!

Croatia suffered a shock defeat from New Zealand!



Obviously affected by yesterday’s overexertion and commanding victory over Slovenia, the “Croatian”, not only found it… dark against the Oceania team, but in the final she did not have the clear mind to finish the case of victory, knowing the surprising loss with a score of 90-86, in a game that opened the curtain on the second day of the tournament. Now Slovenia are involved, since to qualify they will have to beat the New Zealanders by 10 points on Thursday. If he wins with less, he is out. New Zealand with a win will be first in the group, while with a loss up to 9 points they will finish second. Croatia, on the other hand, are already in the semi-finals and will be hoping for a New Zealand defeat to finish top of the group on a tie.

An amazing performance that went wrong, however, was performed by Ivica Zubacwith the Los Angeles Clippers center finishing the match with a impressive double-double of 29 points and 16 rebounds, by Dario Saric to add 19 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds and Mario Hezonia 16 points but with 6/20 shooting, 9 rebounds and an assist.

For Pero Cameron’s team, which will face Slovenia tomorrow (07/04, 17:30), the following stood out Webster (21.) and Ili (14p.., 4r.).

Haka never disappoints??#FIBAOQT pic.twitter.com/BiLB9SGhD3

— FIBA ​​(@FIBA) July 3, 2024

The match:



A little tired of them Croatian from yesterday’s demanding game against Slovenia, a bit of the passion and intensity that they put into their game New Zealanders, turned the first quarter into an offensive crescendo, with the defenses going for a walk! With the trio of Zubac, Saric and Hezonia to do whatever they want to the opposing defence, “Croatia” had the upper hand on the scoreboard throughout the period, with the visitors typically however staying close to the scoreboard thanks to their accuracy behind 6.75m. (6/8 sq.). Somehow, New Zealand managed to close the first quarter back with it minimum value of difference (29-28)thanks to Webster’s 2/3 timeout shots.

Guess those legs aren’t tired, right @mariohezonja? ??#FIBAOQT x @CbfHks pic.twitter.com/5mUvXDQVlD

— FIBA ​​(@FIBA) July 3, 2024

With a three-pointer by Delaney in the first attack of the second quarter, Pero Cameron’s team took the lead for the first time in the match (29-31), while a little later, with six consecutive points by Ili, New Zealand reached even the +6 (35-41) at 14′! Saric and Drezniak picked up the lead for the Croats, however, with five personal points of Webster, typically the visitors took a 52-46 lead at 17′. Somewhere in there, Josip Cesar’s side responded with five points from Zubac (19pts at half time) and the Drezniakturned the match upside down (56-54 at 19′), going to the locker room with in favor of 60-55. It was remarkable that the trio of Zubac, Hezonia and Saric, achieved the 44 out of a total of 60 points of their team!

Here’s a free lesson kids:

Always reward the big guy. #FIBAOQT x @CbfHks pic.twitter.com/mGfedcBn6k

— FIBA ​​(@FIBA) July 3, 2024

The scene was different in third quarter, as the frantic pace of the first half was very difficult to continue in the second half. A condition that seemed to suit New Zealand, which, although it did not start the period well, trailing by 7 points (72-65) at 25′, managed to slowly eat away at the difference, thanks mainly to the easy finishes of Vodanovic and Webster, tying the score at 72-72, 1:33′ before the finale. With a goal-foul by Zubac and four points by Hezonia, Croatia took the lead again, closing out the period at +5 for 79-74.

Jaleen Smith makes a TUFF lay-up to hit the ?? TISSOT Buzzer Beater ?? and extend Croatia’s lead at the half ????#FIBAOQT #BuzzerBeater pic.twitter.com/LohqQHdD4O

— FIBA ​​(@FIBA) July 3, 2024

In the fourth and final period, it was the defenses that played a leading role, as the game was open to any outcome. It is indicative that after the first 5 minutes of the quarter, the score was 5-3 in favor of Croatia for +7 and 84-77. On the New Zealand side, Mr Corey Webster he took over the game and with five difficult points of his own, his team managed to reduce to 2 (86-84) in the 38th minute! In fact, a little later, with one Ili’s acrobatic finish they tied the match (86-86), at the time when the Croatians missed consecutive three-pointers, a sign of the nervousness they showed afterwards and the turn the game took. In fact, the same player with a new difficult layup in front of Zubac made it 88-86 in favor of the New Zealanders at 37” before the finalwith Hezonia in the next attack missing a three-pointer and Le Afa from the line forming the final 90-86!

The quarters: 29-28, 60-55, 79-74, 86-90

See here the statistics of the match.