Italy survives battle with Angola in opening game

Italy faced a stiff challenge to open the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 but prevailed in beating Angola 81-67 in the Group A curtain raiser.

Italy improved to 3-0 all-time against Angola in World Cup history, winning in 9-16 Classification action in 1990 and walloping the Africans 92-61 in the 2019 World Cup First Round. But Angola showed they have taken a step forward in their generation change – though not enough to knock off the Italians in front of 21,214 fans at Philippine Arena.

The turning point : After a back-and-forth and tight first three quarters, Italy finally grabbed control of the game with some tough defense to start the final frame and open an eight-point lead 65-57. Angola could not get back to closer than five points the rest of the way.

TCL player of the Game: Simone Fontecchio was strong all game as Italy struggled to score the ball from long range, picking up 19 points on 8-of-14 shots to go with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block.

Stats don’t lie: Italy shot just 6-of-31 (16 percent) from long range but made 69 percent of their two-point attempts. Gianmarco Pozzecco’s team also held Angola to 4-of-29 (14 percent) from long range.

Bottom Line: Italy will look to make it two in a row and take a major step towards the Second Round with their second game against Dominican Republic on Sunday, August 27. Angola have a second chance for a first victory in a near must-win showdown with hosts Philippines on the same day.