Basketball World Cup semifinals to be played on Friday

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup semifinals will be held on Friday, as 2014 silver medalists Serbia will play against Canada, and five-time champions US will take on Germany in the Philippines.

The Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay will host the semifinals.

The first match of the day will take place at 0845GMT and will pit Serbia against Canada.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led Canada, who beat Slovenia in the previous round, qualified for the World Cup semis for the first time in history.

Serbia, who were without their superstar Nikola Jokic, will be on the court to halt Canada. Bogdan Bogdanovic is expected to be the main threat to Serbia's opponents.

Bogdanovic is leading Serbia on points as the 31-year-old shooting guard has averaged 18.8 points per game in the World Cup.

Gilgeous-Alexander, an Oklahoma City Thunder guard, is one of the tournament’s stars as he averaged 25 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5 assists in this year's World Cup.

The US, which have won the World Cup five times, the last one in 2014, and Germany are vying for the ticket to the 2023 final.

Having many NBA stars in their squad such as Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Brunson, the US eye another World Cup final.

Led by Dennis Schroder and Wagner brothers Franz and Moritz, Germany are in a dream tournament after 2002 when they bagged a bronze medal.

The US vs. Germany game will start at 1240GMT.

The losing teams will play for a bronze medal on Sunday, hours before the final at the Mall of Asia Arena.