At the Nippon Live Cup 2021 in Okinawa, the Belgian Lions beat Japan 70-73 in a friendly match. As the host nation, Japan has qualified directly for the Tokyo Olympics.
The first quarter was for the Belgians, who raced away via Retin Obasohan to a 9-25 score. However, the second and third slide was for Japan, which came alongside again after a 31-39 deficit halfway at 52-52.
The final quarter brought a thriller and a few seconds from the end, Pierre-Antoine Gillet scored the winning three-pointer: 70-73. Gillet scored 21 points out of a 7 out of 11 three-pointer. Manu Lecomte had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists and Retin Obasohan (11 points, 11 rebounds) delivered a double-double.
On Wednesday, the Belgian Lions defeated Finland 64-74. On Sunday they will complete the last practice pot on Japanese soil. The selection of national coach Dario Gjergja will then take on Hungary.
The Belgian Lions, who qualified for the European Championship (Eurobasket 2022) for the fifth consecutive time in February, have started preparing for the World Cup qualifiers (starting November) in Japan.
Japan-Belgium 70-73
Belgium: Akyazili 3, Lecomte 14, Mwema 0, Schwartz 5, Gillet 21, Kesteloot 6, Boukichou 4, Van Vliet 2, Bratanovic 4, Dedrogen 3, Obasohan 11
Quartz: 9-25, 22-14, 21-13, 18-21
.
