At the FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, China's basketball squad faced a tough battle against Slovenia and fell 99-82 in their third group game. The match was full of twists and turns, showcasing both early promise and a relentless comeback by Slovenia.
China got off to a strong start with key contributions from Zhu Zheng, Huan Sinan, and Zhang Boyuan, who launched a 6-0 run to take an 11-5 lead. With solid two-pointers added by Zhang and Chen Jiazheng, the advantage extended to 17-8. However, Slovenia quickly countered with a 10-0 run, shifting the momentum of the contest.
Powered by impressive shooting from Leon Ivicic and Urban Kroflic – along with a steady performance from Zak Smrekar – Slovenia turned the game around. A 13-0 burst in the second quarter followed by a 10-0 run in the third allowed Slovenia to build a commanding lead of 71-43, leaving little room for a comeback.
Despite the loss, China's team advanced to the knockout stage, where they will face New Zealand on Wednesday. The rollercoaster contest highlighted how early leads can be overturned by sudden, explosive bursts. Stay tuned for more exciting hoops action! 🏀
Reference(s):
China suffer third straight loss in Switzerland at FIBA U19 World Cup
cgtn.com
