Japanese players and fans were overcome with emotions as Japan achieved its inaugural triumph against European opponents in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on August 26, CNN reports.
In a remarkable display of resilience during the ongoing 2023 tournament, Japan, one of the co-hosts, orchestrated a stunning comeback, erasing an astonishing 18-point deficit to secure a 98-88 victory over Finland. The historic win took place before a home crowd in Okinawa and resulted in the elimination of their Group E rival.
Renowned figures like Yuta Watanabe from the Phoenix Suns and Yudai Baba from the NBA G League were visibly moved to tears as the Japanese team etched their name in history. The spectators in the stands also shared in the overwhelming sentiment.
Josh Hawkinson, an American-born player, proved instrumental with 28 points and 19 rebounds for Japan. Additionally, Yuki Kawamura, a local favorite standing at 5'7" (1.72 meters), contributed 15 points in the final quarter, solidifying Japan's victory – their first in the tournament.
This triumph marked Japan's initial World Cup victory in 17 years, with their prior achievement occurring as the host nation against Panama during the 2006 FIBA World Championship. In the 2019 World Cup, which was postponed and held in China, Japan faced defeat in all five of their group matches.
While Japan has held a dominant position in basketball within Asia, its global impact has been limited. The head coach, Tom Hovasse, expressed his anticipation that this thrilling encounter against Finland, ranked 24th in the world, would elevate Japan's status in international competitions.
Hovasse remarked in a post-game press conference, "This win was significant for us. We're aiming to establish a new benchmark for Japan, and this victory marks a substantial step forward."
Keisei Tominaga, a promising US college prospect often compared to "Japanese Stephen Curry," added, "Even when we faced an 18-point deficit, we maintained our determination. We believed in our capabilities." Tominaga contributed 17 points to the game.
Japan's next challenge is a formidable one, as they are set to face the third-ranked team in the world, Australia, in their final group match. The victor of this encounter is likely to advance to the second round. Meanwhile, Germany, leading their group, has already secured their spot in the next phase.
In the ongoing tournament, only Japan and Australia, among the eight teams qualified from Asia and Oceania, have secured victories. China, which recently naturalized NBA player Kyle Anderson to enhance its chances, suffered a substantial 42-point loss to Serbia in their opening match. The Philippines, another co-host, is grappling with two disappointing losses.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup is a collaborative effort among the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, marking the first instance of multiple nations co-hosting the event. While this is Indonesia's inaugural time hosting, it also represents the first occurrence in World Cup history where hosts have not qualified.
The FIBA World Cup is scheduled to run until September 10.
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