Ljubljana, Slovenia – Luka Dončić propelled Slovenia to teh EuroBasket quarter-finals with a dominant 42-point performance in an 84-77 victory over Italy on Sunday. The win secures Slovenia’s place among the tournament’s final eight and sets up a challenging matchup against the reigning world champions.
Dončić’s scoring output, exactly half of his team’s total points, was pivotal in overcoming a physically demanding contest against a steadfast Italian squad. The result marks a meaningful step for Slovenia, a nation increasingly recognized as a basketball powerhouse, and raises thier profile on the international stage as contenders for a medal.
Despite his individual brilliance, Dončić emphasized the importance of team cohesion following the hard-fought win. “it was a very difficult, physically difficult match.We knew that italy had many advantages, but we won,” he stated. he was quick to credit his teammates, adding, “I always praise guys. They play great. Here we all win or lose together. We’re not about individuality.”
The Slovenian captain also highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team, noting their ability to quickly resolve any disagreements. “Everyone is playing together and we agree well. The team’s chemistry is great. Sometimes we argue, but it’s part of the sport. We just want to help each other on the field,” Dončić explained.
Looking ahead to the quarter-final clash, Dončić expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete. “We believe in ourselves from the beginning. Now we go further, we believe in. we are waiting for a difficult match, but we have to believe,” he said. The quarter-final game will be a crucial test for Slovenia as they aim to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
