⭐ Merited by AHOYBRAUSE (1)
Not going to predict things too. When knockout stages begins, it often goes against the odds. Though, I only don't agree with you that Lithuania will end behind Finland. I think we're going to be 2nd behind Germany.
A and C groups looks very interesting for me, there you can't even tell all 4 teams which are going to reach next round.
A and C groups looks very interesting for me, there you can't even tell all 4 teams which are going to reach next round.
I haven't seen any exhibition/ friendly game of any of the teams, so I said it based on how the teams' rosters are and which players they have. Plus, I really like Lauri Markkanen and I will want to see him and Finland pass to the next stage. Beating Germany and getting the 1st place will be more than difficult, getting the 2nd place is more than doable.
Same like other hosts, they paid several millions to FIBA and got right to have tournament. But IMO, there should be requirement to have at least a bit competetive team to getright to play even if you're host
That's the one side of the coin. The other is to give the opportunity to low-caliber teams to participate in such tournaments. Otherwise, they will never be in any. This way, more young people will start getting involved with the sport, as well as people with money.
Like the 15 odds for Spain to win outright. They have been dominant and look to have taken the same approach in all of their national sport teams, focus on young and agile players, building a team to dominate the future but are already dominating now. There are lots of top teams, the Serbians will be tough to beat and so will Germany and France
IMO all the groups have clear favorites but things are unpredictable in such tournaments. Even if Serbia, Spain, and Germany are teams with very good chemistry and experience, the other teams won't drop the matches without a fight. All the teams have great players who can change the course of a game, and we all know that in basketball, anything can happen in seconds. So I'm expecting tough matches between all the teams and the groups. At least, until we see the first matches...