Japanese players and fans were left in tears after the country claimed its first ever victory against European opponents in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sunday.
Japanese players and fans were left in tears after the country claimed its first ever victory against European opponents in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Sunday.
Pulling off the biggest comeback of the 2023 tournament so far, co-hosts Japan came from a staggering 18 points down to beat Finland 98-88 in front of a home crowd in Okinawa, knocking out its Group E rival.
Stars including Phoenix Suns’ Yuta Watanabe and the NBA G League’s Yudai Baba could be seen crying in disbelief as the Japanese team made history, while many fans were also overcome with emotion in the stands.
US-born Josh Hawkinson scored 28 points and 19 rebounds for Japan, while 5’7” (1.72 meters) local favourite Yuki Kawamura tallied 15 in the fourth quarter alone to seal Japan’s first win of the tournament.
It was Japan’s first World Cup win in 17 years – its last came as host nation against Panama at the then-named FIBA World Championship in 2006.
