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T. PETERSBURG -- Italy beat the United States 81-72 in the Goodwill Games basketball semifinals Wednesday to smash the American dream of taking a raw young team of collegiate players all the way to gold.
In play Wednesday evening, Puerto Rico handed the Russian side a 69-65 defeat after trailing 28-41 at halftime.
The victory for Italy's young side was some consolation for failing to reach next month's world championships in Toronto, where the United States will entrust the quest for gold to the best professionals the NBA league has to offer.
"I'm tremendously disappointed that we lost. I fully expected to win, with no disrespect to Italy," U.S. coach George Ravelin said. "This is as well coached a side as I've coached in 20-odd years of international basketball."
"There is no question that tonight Italy were a superior basketball team."
Italian forward Gregor Fucka had a dominant game, scoring 14 points in inside play, as Italy began to assert themselves midway through the first half. They trailed 39-40 at halftime but made it 46-40 within two minutes of the restart and rarely looked like relinquishing their lead.
With their superior positioning, Italy dominated the rebounds, taking 29 to the United States' 19.
A technical foul by Shawn Respert of Michigan State helped Italy break the game open. Respert shoved Claudio Coldebella in the chest, knocking him over, and the Italians converted two technical free throws for a 68-57 lead with 8:22 left to play.
The Americans never got closer than nine points after that.
Italy's Paolo Moretti finished with a total of 17 points. Paolo Conti also had 17. Damon Stoudamire of Arizona led the Americans with 19 points.
The loss marked the latest in a series of defeats for U.S. amateur teams in international competition. They lost to Russia 77-75 in the preliminary round.
Italy Stuns U.S. in Semifinals
29 July 1994
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