Opposed to Belgium, Slovenia had some scares before seriously validating their qualification. A new success that once again bears the mark of a certain… Luka Doncic.
For the boxscore of this meeting, please follow the magic link.
While the Blues emerged miraculously from their duel against Turkey, it is difficult to imagine Slovenia experiencing such a scenario against the modest Belgian team. Little thumb announced from these round of 16, our northern neighbor found himself with an Everest to cross or rather a Doncic to overcome. Terrifyingly easy since the start of the tournament and unplayable against France, the Mavs star is rolling for the moment on this EuroBasket 2022. Lithuanians, French and Germans have failed to calm Lulu and would it be Belgium who would get there? No, it seemed impossible. Only three minutes of play will have been enough for the Belgians to understand the magnitude of the day’s mission. Three minutes of play, three bombinettes from the car park and already nine points for the Don’. We can already imagine the health walk looming and then Belgium shows that it is not there to serve as a scapegoat. We remember that the “Lions” (nickname of the national team) brought down Spain during the group stage and they are far from having stolen their place at this stage of the competition. The collective is united, they fight for each other, the Lecomte-Gillet duo does a good job. Opposite, the Slovenians rely a little too much on an already tough Luka but who seems very alone. There are only three points difference at the break.
Bis repeated in the second half with Luka who still offers us the extent of his offensive palette while the Belgians respond as a group. Incredible but true, the European champion cannot get rid of Belgium. The scenario even turns WTF when the Belgians manage to take the lead 9 minutes from time! Are we witnessing the upset of the competition? Luka Doncic released by a team that isn’t even considered a potential underdog? No way, Slovenia is finally waking up. Luka, still him, connects two baskets including one and one on a new balancing act while Prepelic comes out of his box to give him a helping hand in attack. Behind, Aleksander Sekulic’s men close the doors and Belgium can no longer find a way to score. In a few minutes, the match is totally folded. Slovenia validates its ticket, Luka Doncic releases a new quality performance (35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 11/25 shooting) while Belgium leaves the tournament with honors, it is far from undeserved.
The Belgians fought well and they managed to scare Slovenia but the outgoing champion quickly put his foot back on the accelerator to validate his ticket for the quarter-finals. Luka Doncic and his band will face Ukraine or Poland in the next round.