The quarter-finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup resume in the heart of Manila, welcoming basketball excellence across the globe. Witnessing the remarkable display of talent in Groups A-D, the sense of familiarity withers between the surviving clubs—as the sport’s local fanbase embraces four more nations.
The final eight teams square off in anticipation of the tournament's sole victor come Sunday, September 10. Italy, Serbia, Lithuania, and the United States may have surpassed the gruesome preliminary stages, though the Jakarta/Okinawa counterparts pose a promising hurdle for the coveted Naismith Trophy.
Canada
Youtube: FIBA – The Basketball Channel
2023 FIBA World Cup Second round finish: 1st (Group L), 4-1 Record
Next matchup: Slovenia, Wednesday, September 6, 08:30 PM (GMT+8)
Jakarta, Indonesia, witnessed Canada’s late rally against the tournament’s defending champions, Spain, booking their flight to Manila following an 88-85 victory. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Memphis’ Santi Aldama exchanged blows to the wire, as the Canadians merely escaped with the win. Alex Abrines attempted to harness his inner Stephen Curry, subtly grazing the rim with a 40-foot attempt to force overtime. With their arrival in the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a hungry Luka Dončić-highlighted Slovenian roster peers from across the hardwood.
Germany
Youtube: FIBA – The Basketball Channel
2023 FIBA World Cup Second round finish: 1st (Group K), 5-0 Record
Next matchup: Latvia, Wednesday, September 6, 04:45 PM (GMT+8)
Trampling fellow 2023 FIBA World Cup Quarter Finals entrant Slovenia in their final Okinawa appearance, Deutschland surpassed its top-seeded Group K counterpart with a 29-point victory. Toronto Raptors’ Dennis Schroder led all scorers with 24 markers on 72.7% shooting, erasing an initial 14-point deficit in the first quarter, which sprouted as the contest ended. As one of the two remaining European countries to perform flawlessly in the group stages, they match up against an underdog Latvian roster, possibly meeting Italy or the United States in the semis.
Latvia
Youtube: FIBA – The Basketball Channel
2023 FIBA World Cup Second round finish: 2nd (Group L), 4-1 Record
Next matchup: Germany, Wednesday, September 6, 04:45 PM (GMT+8)
A rather surprising bid to capture world basketball greatness, Latvia came out victorious vis-à-vis tournament juggernauts France and Spain. The previously 29th ranked nation post FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers ushers a convincing campaign, heading to the quarters with four wins and one loss underneath their belt. Led by Aquila Basket Trento’s Andrejs Gražulis with +16.8 efficiency, the Baltic Sea inhabitants remind the world of its hooping excellence, routing a promising Brazillian squad by 20 before departing for Manila.
Slovenia
Youtube: FIBA – The Basketball Channel
2023 FIBA World Cup Second round finish: 2nd (Group K), 4-1 Record
Next matchup: Canada, Wednesday, September 6, 08:30 PM (GMT+8)
The Philippines embraces the magic (and no, not from “The Happiest Place on Earth” nor Orlando’s hometown team) through the 24-year-old Slovenian wizard Luka Dončić. The Dallas Maverick All-Star highlights the 2023 FIBA World Cup as the tournament’s leading scorer per contest, coupled with a 37-point outing (currently third-highest) against Venezuela in the early stages of Group F. The determined Central Europe squad has their work cut out for them—meeting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Canada in the quarters and (with a win) either Lithuania or Serbia before a hopeful finals berth.
