Shaken by the defeat against Lithuania, the USA unleashed an extraordinary performance in terms of physical and mental intensity. Italy is mistreated as rarely happened in comparisons that are almost always unequal with the Americans. It ends 100-63, a very strict score which in any case must not cancel out what was done by Pozzecco's national team, who will have to play the matches for the consolation finals from fifth to eighth place.
There was competition only in the first few minutes, when Tonut kept the Azzurri ahead: 8-7 in the 5th minute. Then the famous American substitution: inside the second quintet and with Haliburton directing and scoring, Kerr's formation starts to take off and closes the quarter forward in double figures, 14-24.
In the second quarter, Italy continues to shoot three points very badly (2/19 against 7/19) and at that point attacking a defense made up of great athletes who change at every opportunity becomes a feat. Pozzecco's Azzurri even end up at -24, with Bridges making good and bad weather: 14 points and 6 rebounds in the middle of the game.
After the break, the USA remained concentrated and continued to score three-pointers, while of the Azzurri only Fontecchio scored. The score becomes humiliating: 36-73 in the 27th minute. The World Cup is already over, well in advance. The race becomes an exhibition for the USA which also reaches +41.
