Mundobasket 2006

[Inter101]

kool, I never saw this thread. Yuko, Lebron and wade the only superstars? What bout camelo? hes too sick. Anyway, america spain in the final, america lifts the cup. Simple.

 

[dtlerch]

kool, I never saw this thread. Yuko, Lebron and wade the only superstars? What bout camelo? hes too sick. Anyway, america spain in the final, america lifts the cup. Simple.

I think Argentina-USA is more likely than Spain-USA, no offense to the Greek fans. The Argentina team scares me, though the USA is better on paper.

 

[brehme1989]

What offense man? Our aim for the tournament was a medal, that means places 3, 2 or 1! Just by being in the semis, it makes us really proud, and if we lose, we won't nag about it!

Well, okay I skipped Carmello, but the rest aren't 'superstar' material, in the sense of O'Neal, Bryant, Iverson, Duncan, Garnett, Carter etc... And some can say that neither Carmello is. 'Superstars' have more than basketball skills(or don't even have that ) They "sell" something that people easily "buy".

HELLAS!

 

[Wittmann]

Wow..I'm enjoying the game, very nice basketball in semifinal..Just when I thought Usa is going to brake the match, Greeks bounced back..Really great display by them..

Papaloukas is awsome, such a versatile player, Americans don't seem to have the answer for him just yet..Also 'Baby Shaq' looks devastating when receives the ball in the box..

Well, only halftime now, USA thus far managed to outplay the opponenrs in the 2nd half..Anyway, Forza Grece!!

 

[Wittmann]

LOL..I'm replying to myself..

Greece in the Final!! There wasn't any blackout in Greek team since they went into the lead and victory is absolutely deserved..Greece might not have the best starting 5 ,but posseses squad depth and determination..

Spain - Argentina shoud be entertaining, too..The quality of basketball amazes me throughout WC, pitty I'm won't be able to watch the second semifinal..

 

[brehme1989]

Hellas ole oleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are the champions! There isn't another game in the tournament for us! We have won!!!!!!!!!!

101 points by defensive Greece!
95 points conceded by defensive Greece!

Only Carmello Anthony frightened us, and Wade only in the last quarter!

Diamantidis, Schortsianitis, Ntikoudis, Fotsis, Spanoullis, Papaloukas, Papadopoulos, Chatzivrettas, Tsartsaris and the others, and also, PANAYIOTIS GIANNAKIS!
Thank you ALL!


P.S: Schortsianitis is all-Greek, don't be tricked by his skin colour! His father is Greek, and his mother is an immigrant in Greece from Africa. His Greek is propably better than many Greeks, and his English perhaps is worse than most Greeks

 

[Cro Nerazzurro]

C'mon ARGENTINA!

my favorite GINOBILI, and guy from my fav.team (bulls) NOCIONI!

let's win this!

 

[UhUhOleguer]

God...I loved it!!! US blew it again..hahahahaha!!! wonderful! Toronto was set on fire today...hehehhehee!!!

beautiful.

 

[Wittmann]

P.S: Schortsianitis is all-Greek, don't be tricked by his skin colour! His father is Greek, and his mother is an immigrant in Greece from Africa. His Greek is propably better than many Greeks, and his English perhaps is worse than most Greeks

Whatever..If he was a Croat, I couldn't care less.. Nice tan though..


Spain - Argentina 75-74..not as exciting as the first semi, but again even match with thriller in final seconds..Hope that Gasol isn't out for Finale..

Well, Greece-Spain, I thought it will be the match for the 3rd place..Anyway, interesting battle ahead of us..USA-Arg for 3rd..

 

[brehme1989]

I wanted this European final! This is to show the world that Europe is not only for football! I think that Hellas can become one of the best teams for years to come. Some players stated that we'll get medals in all competitions for 8 years. I'd say if we continue on this path, it'd take nuclear bombs to stop Greece!

 

[Wittmann]

LoL..Very optimistic words after the win, as expected, but I doubt it cause it's Croatia time in next Euro..:stuckup:

I knew Greece is very strong defensively, but they were brilliant in offence as well..Fantastic passes and important 3p shots..Really great match for them..:star:

 

[brehme1989]

Yeah, we caught the Americans by surprise

If I was neutral, I don't know how I'd feel for Greece winning, but I sure know that I'd pity Carmello Anthony for being in the losing side!

So what are your predictions for the final?
Mine are biased, and you know them

 

[Wittmann]

Don't know really..Slight advantage to Greece, especially if Pau's injury is serious..Without him they don't stand a chance..

What impresses me the most, is the squad depth that Greece posesses..I have a feeling they could play 3 games in a row the same day without getting tired..Whoever Giannakis puts in, doesn't fail to impress..incredible..

 

[brehme1989]

That's the same as Panathinaikos. My team in Greece. Probably one of the best teams ever in Europe, not trophywise, as we didn't "terrorise" Europe as much as Maccambi did in a short while.

Almost all of Greece is Panathinaikos players or Panathinaikos ex-players

Spanoulis: Panathinaikos player last season, moving to Houston Rockets for new season
Fotsis: Ex-Panathinaikos player, he was too young at PAO but played really well. He failed at a young age at the NBA, came back to PAO and now is wandering around European clubs
Ntikoudis: Came at Panathinaikos this season
Papadopoulos: He was a Panathinaikos player, and key player in the 2002 Euroleague of Bologna, which we won
Tsartsaris: PAO player for a while now.
Diamantidis: Same as Tsartsaris, but I could say that Diamantidis is the best player in Europe with Papaloukas without being biased!
Chatzivretas: Same as the two above.

Heck even Giannakis, the coach, used to be a Panathinaikos player! When Greece won the European Championship in 1987!

I give as much credit to Giannakis as Obradovic, PAO coach, who prepared all these players! Greece is using the Obradovic-PAO tactic, but of course, more defensively, and all-Greek(!) in a slightly modified Giannakis style!

P.S: Same thing happened at the football Euro, with the PAO players (but not under one coach) Obradovic is at PAO for 8 years now!

 

[Wittmann]

PAO, eh? Well, it explains it then..Your team is the most compact in WC and Papaloukas dedication to the team is just priceless..

Unlike basketball team, your football NT isn't one of my favourites..Not entertaining to say the least..

 

[Pajo]

LOL, I can't believe this!!!

The mighty NBA stars, unbeatable stars... Who said that?

Congrads Greece!!!

 

[dtlerch]

LOL, I can't believe this!!!

The mighty NBA stars, unbeatable stars... Who said that?

Congrads Greece!!!

It's happened in at least two recent major competitions now, it shouldn't be that surprising .

Anyway, congrats to Greek fans. I missed the game, but I hear that Greece played really well and the USA played very poorly (especially on defense) after the first quarter. Certainly not a recipe for success for the American team.

The other game was another surprise. I think there is a very good chance now that Argentina beats the USA in a 3rd place game.

 

[forzaitalia44]

Why do america not play the actual elite players of the competition, why play people like shane battier and younger upcoming players when u can play people like tracy mcgrady, jason kidd, allen iverson, kobe, gilbert arenas etc. To tell you the truth it looks to me that their federation do not really look to win these tournaments, damn idiots.

All credit to greece they are a very good basketball side and i cant see them getting beaten by spain. lol gotta love the dark guy, i crack up every time i see him.

 

[dtlerch]

Why do america not play the actual elite players of the competition, why play people like shane battier and younger upcoming players when u can play people like tracy mcgrady, jason kidd, allen iverson, kobe, gilbert arenas etc. To tell you the truth it looks to me that their federation do not really look to win these tournaments, damn idiots.

All credit to greece they are a very good basketball side and i cant see them getting beaten by spain. lol gotta love the dark guy, i crack up every time i see him.

There are a few reasons. First, they believe that getting a younger team together for multiple years (as this team is committed to three years together) is better for team chemistry, cohesiveness, and ultimately effectiveness especially on defense. The Dream Team worked when the rest of the world was terrible at the sport, but recent attempts were lacking. I think the team that was chosen was very good, and I expect strong things from them in the next competition. After all, I don't think anyone would dispute that the American NBA players are the best in the world - they just don't play as well together or play as well at the international game as teams like Argentina, Greece, etc. With enough time playing together, I think (and hope) that that will change.

 

[brehme1989]

Here's a nice article by Americans, with responses from Americans about the game and their team, and their future...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si_blogs/nba/nba_blog/2006/2006/09/seeking-solutions.html