United States and Lithuania to meet in FIBA Basketball World Cup semi-final

By Gary Anderson

Reigning champions the United States will take on Lithuania in the semi-final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup after both sides came through their quarter-finals in Spain tonight.

The United States were in cruise control for much of their match against Slovenia, running out 119-76 winners at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

All 12 of the US players registered at least one basket en route to the win.

Klay Thompson had a game-high 20 points, while Anthony Davis added 13 points and 11 rebounds and Kenneth Faried chipped in 14 points and 10 boards.

Despite the wide margin of victory Slovenia, led by some sharp shooting from the Dragic brothers - Goran and Zoran - trailed by only seven points at halftime.

But an 18-5 run early in the third set the US on their way as they began to find their range, almost outscoring the Slovenians by three-to-one in the final period, registering 33 points to their opponents 12 to seal victory.

"It's always an honour to play against Slovenia," said US head coach Mike Krzyzewsk afterwards.

"There are so well coached and they have as a good a perimeter as anybody [in the tournament] and they play really good defence.

"I thought in the second half we really shared the ball well and we managed to score 40 points off loose balls and when you do that your offence looks good."

Despite the efforts of Zoran Dragic Slovenia had no answer to the firepower of the US ©AFP/Getty Images

Looking ahead to the match with Lithuania, Krzyzewski said: "I've coached against Lithuania many times.

"They are one of the great basketball countries.

"They love the game, they play it with a passion and they play hard.

"It will be a tough game we know that."

Lithuania reached their second successive semi-final after a much closer affair against 2010 runners-up Turkey in the first match in Barcelona.

Turkey were looking for their third win over the Lithuanians in World Cup history after two victories in the 2006 tournament in Japan.

And they started positively, taking an 18-10 lead into the first break before Darjus Lavrinovic began to find his range for their opponents in the second quarter.

A hat-trick of three-pointers helped Lithuania regain the initiative and lead 33-28 at halftime.

Lithuania are next to face the might of the Americans after they overcame Turkey ©AFP/Getty Images

The momentum swung back in the favour of the Turks, however, in the third period as Omer Asik and Emir Preldzic began to influence proceedings handing their side a four-point advantage.

But Lithuania always looked dangerous and thanks to Martynas Pocius and Paulius Jankunas they led by three going into the final quarter.

Despite the best effort of the Turks, Lithuania always kept their noses in front with Renaldas Seibutis - who top-scored with 19 points - and Jonas Maciulis landing some crucial baskets to help their side emerge with a 73-61 win.

Tomorrow's quarter-finals will see hosts Spain take on France while Serbia are up against Brazil.

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