Players of the Czech Republic celebrate during the awarding ceremony after the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
CHENGDU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Czech Republic edged Brazil 69-67 to win the men's basketball gold at the Chengdu Universiade here on Sunday.
Jan Zidek clinched a game-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Czech Republic, with Martin Svoboda adding nine points.
Paulo Henrique Barbosa Jr. had a team-high 17 for Brazil, while guard Caio De Souza Pacheco, who drew six fouls, scored 14 points.
The final evolved into a tight game with nine lead changes before the fourth quarter. After Joao Marcello Cardoso Pereira's surprising reversed-jam lob, the Czech Republic soon fought back with a 3-pointer and the two sides were deadlocked at 63-63 with 3:30 remaining on the clock.
Both teams lost their form in crucial moments. Brazil was called an offense foul, but the Czech Republic also gave up their ball possession for traveling. Zidek stood out with 38 seconds left, as he drew a foul from Brazil and made one of two free throws to help his team gain a one-point lead.
Brazil then made a turnover and fouled Nikolaos Noumeros, whose point in free throws widened the Czech Republic's lead to two. In Brazil's final push, Jonas Matheus Buffat failed in his attempt from behind the arc, and the Czech Republic narrowly prevailed.
Also on Sunday, the United States defeated Argentina 102-91 in the bronze medal match, and Poland beat China 87-76 in the 9th-10th place match. ■
Players of Brazil react during the awarding ceremony after the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Dikembe Da Silva Andre (bottom) of Brazil dunks during the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Joao Marcello Cardoso Pereira (bottom) of Brazil passes the ball during the basketball men's gold medal game between Brazil and the Czech Republic at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
Adyel felipe Pereira Borges (2nd R) of Brazil shoots during the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Players of the Czech Republic celebrate after winning the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
Players of the Czech Republic celebrate after winning the basketball men's gold medal game between the Czech Republic and Brazil at the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)
