Mundobasket 2006

[brehme1989]

It's the basketball World Cup, and it's played in Japan. The US "Dream Team".... only has Dwayne Wade and LeBron James as superstars, but many think they are enough.

Three rounds have been played so far in the group stage, and out of 6 teams in each group, 4 qualify.

European champions Greece have gone off to a great start with 3 on 3. Serbia and Lithuania are not doing that well. And Nigeria has not let me down, as I thought they'd be better than people thought.

USA, Spain, Italy, Greece, France are among the top favourites to win. I hope Greece wins, but I pretty much doubt it. My vote goes to Spain.

Here are the Groups:

Group A
Serbia/Montenegro
Nigeria
Venezuela
Lebanon
Argentina
France

Group B
Angola
Panama
Spain
New Zealand
Germany
Japan

Group C
Brazil
Australia
Turkey
Lithuania
Qatar
Greece

Group D
Slovenia
Senegale
Puerto Rico
USA
China
Italy


P.S: I'll post the standings tomorrow, when the 4th games will be played

[Wittmann]

Hey Yuko..Although Croatia ain't here, I'm also very intersted in this WC..

USA definitely has the best individuals, but this time they work excellent as a team, too..Wade is my favourite player in NBA and he's unstoppable at the moment..Anthony, LeBron, Paul and the rest of the team led by K. looks devastating on the court..Fast, agressive and effective basketball, just the one I like to watch..Right now, USA-Slovenia 66-49 at halftime..

I wouldn't put France and Italy among the favourites, especially not France cause they miss Parker too much..Instead, I would add Argentina as possible finalists..

Serbia and Lithuania don't seem capable of any success here..

[brehme1989]

Damn of course Argentina That was my third choice after Greece and Spain to win it

I didn't know that Parker wasn't in,so no France, but Italy is a strong team

[Hasan]

USA will win that, I don't like them but they looked very good, Spain will play finall and Slovenia, Turkey and Argentina looks good.

[Wittmann]

Wohoo..Italy - USA 45-36..It seems like Italy found the key how to stop Americans in the attack..Throughout 2nd quarter they defended supebly and Americans couldn't do much..In addition, their defence fell apart allowing Italian guards to score freely..

[brehme1989]

Please don't tell me that that's the final score
It's too early in the morning, I usually wake up after the games end, and I'll only be able to watch a live game starting from tomorrow, as it's satelite TV that broacasts them in Cyprus

[Wittmann]

LOL, no no..
Complete turnaround in 3rd quarter..Fantastic performance by Carmelo Anthony (35pts.) supported by Wade and Americans were back in the lead in no time..

94-85 in the end, but you were right, Italians do look stronger than I thought..Their guards line look very good..

One surprise today..Libanon-France 74-73..

[dtlerch]

USA will probably win. Argentina is second best, Italy has a good shot at #3. France with a healthy Tony Parker is #2 or #3.

[brehme1989]

Where is Greece?

Seriously, if Greece improves, and actually finish off games with 5 minutes to go instead of 5 seconds, we can win the Global cup. We will show that Europe is the toughest continent (as european champions)

[dtlerch]

Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to see Greece play. Hopefully they'll play the USA in a very good game!

[brehme1989]

We have a game against Turkey today. If Greece wins, I think we are certain for first place

[brehme1989]

Greece 76
Turkey 69

I think Greece can go till the end in this one
China is next.

Greece is probably the best team defensively in the tournament. Offensively, it has talent, but they are not as good as other teams, as there is no powerful scorer in the team. Kakiouzis, Spanoulis, Papadopoulos, Diamantidis, Fotsis etc are all good players in front of the basket, but still, not mighty effective. The good thing is that we do not ever concede over 70 points, so we have good chances of winning. Only a great USA can score over 70 in normal time against Greece

[Pani]

I am happy because we are real European Champions in Basketball,not like football.

I am looking forward to the semifinal against USA...

[Wittmann]

USA, Argentina, Greece, Spain - one of these will lift the WC trophy for sure..My favourites are Americans, but wouldn't mind if somebody surprises them though..

Tommorow, I'm going to watch Serbia-Spain, the most entertaining match of 1/8finals, maybe Serbia can pull it together and go through..

Btw, happy birthday, Pani..

[brehme1989]

Greece destroyed Yao Ming's China yesterday!

Perfect defence, even if we struggled a bit in the begining, we won with 30 points difference.

Team mistakes: Greece 3-4, China 30!!!!!!

Did anyone see that game? Greece's best game so far, and it was very entertaining to watch

[Wittmann]

I watched Turkey-Slovenia, other games weren't covered by our TV..Anyway, Turkey squeezed past Slovenia very lucky..They were about to loose and in last 3 mins managed to put in few 3pointers..Erdogan was MOM, very solid player..

However, I think they stand little chance to make it to the semis..Greece, if they want to be in Final, USA have to be beaten..Though task, I doubt you will manage it, but nevertheless I'll cheer for Greece..

[Wittmann]

1/2Final:

Spain - Argentina

USA - Greece

It was kind of expected..All teams present in semis are very strong and I admit I have no clue who the winner might be..Individually, I would say that USA is the strongest, but as a team I pick Argentina as my favourites to win the tournament..

[Pani]

The best teams of the tournament have reached semifinals.They haven't lost yet.

USA seems to be the stronger,but I hope our players will make it!!!

GO GREECE

[Hasan]

Noe we will see that Greece defence against the USA. I really hope that can work against Wade&co.

[Pajo]

I think that USA will win. Nobody can stop the NBA stars... Not even the Greek defence. Personally, I would like Greece to win...