A match not to be lost: Italy vs. Lithuania

Lithuania, with a 3-2 record, is set to clash with Italy, who stands at 4-1, in a pivotal final group stage basketball game in Bologna. The match is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., with live updates available on the Delfi news portal.

The significance of this game is immense, even though both teams have already clinched berths in the second qualifying round. There, they will compete against the top three teams from Group C: Turkey (5-0), Serbia (3-2), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-3). All current wins carry over to the next stage, where only the top three teams from the subsequent group will advance to the World Cup.

A loss for Lithuania in Bologna would severely damage their starting position in the second round, while a victory would significantly improve Italy's outlook. The previous meeting between these two teams in Klaipėda was a dramatic affair, with Italy securing a narrow 82-81 win in the final seconds thanks to a two-point shot by Nico Mannion.