With all five wins in this year’s World Cup in China, Team USA advances to the knockout stage as the main favorites. The odds changed in Team USA’s favor after Serbia’s loss against Spain and the latest American win against Brazil.
The Cariocas entered the match against the Americans in a must-win situation after their unexpected defeat by the Czechs, hoping that Greece would win by 12 or more points against the Czech Republic. The USA struggled in the first half, but still won both periods (21-18 and 22-21), keeping Brazilians’ hope still alive.
In the second half, the Americans switched the tempo and strengthened their defense and the Brazillian deficit rose up as the match continued. Brazil tried their tactics and decided to force the 3-point shots. After that tactic failed, their defeat was imminent as USA went up by 16 points, ending the match with a final score of 89-73.
Brazil and Greece are eliminated from the next round, as Greece won their match against the Czech Republic, but won’t go through as their victory was in vain and without the necessary point advantage. The Czechs are surprisingly going to the quarter-finals as they managed to lose under 12 points by Greece and remain 2nd behind USA.
