If in group A the United States are clearly favorites ahead of France – bronze medalist at the 2019 World Cup – and the excellent collective of the Czech Republic, group B appears to be very open. Australia, Germany, Italy and Nigeria will compete for two or three places for the quarter-finals. Without being able to say in advance who will be the lucky ones.
Australia in search of a medal, finally
After failing by nothing at the fourth place in the Rio Olympics in 2016, then in the same place at the 2019 World Cup, Australia wants to go for a medal, finally. With his collective experience, his talent, his experienced players (Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matthew Dellavedova) and rising values (Dante Exum, Jock Landale, Matisse Thybulle), the Boomers are the favorites of this group B.
Nigeria as an outsider
For their first match in the competition, this Sunday against Nigeria, at 10:20 am French time, they will have to send a message. Because if they beat the Nigerian selection 108-69 in Las Vegas last week, the latter also impressed in Nevada with a success against Team USA and another, wide, against the 2019 vice-world champions, the Argentines. . With eight players and an NBA coach, it has very high potential.
Italy boldly but without size
But it is Italy and Germany who will open the ball in this group B, at 6:40 am French time. The two went through an Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) which gave them collective experience in cleaver matches, and therefore confidence since they won. Italy in particular, with its final victory against Serbia in Belgrade, surprised. In Nicolo Mannion, Achille Polonara and Nicolo Melli, Danilo Gallinari, the star of the national orange ball, was added. It remains to be seen whether the lack of size, particularly at station 5, will not be a handicap.
Germany without its NBA stars, but with EuroLeague know-how
Germany has no shortage of size and interiors. In addition, the selection includes many players playing in EuroLeague, and not only within the two flagship clubs of the country, ALBA Berlin and Bayern Munich (three). Niels Giffey (Zalgiris Kaunas), Johannes Voigtmann (CSKA Moscow) and Danilo Barthel (Fenerbahçe Istanbul) play in prestigious clubs. On the other hand, the three best-established German players in the NBA, Dennis Schroder (insurance), Maxi Kleber (Achilles tendon) and Daniel Theis, are forfeited. Moritz Wagner will have a hand to be the leader of the team, him who was MVP of the TQO of Split.
Group B matches, French time:
- Germany vs Italy, Sunday July 25 at 6:40 am
- Nigeria vs Australia, Sunday July 25 at 10:20 a.m.
- Nigeria vs Germany, Wednesday July 28 at 3 a.m.
- Italy vs Australia, Wednesday July 28 at 10:20 a.m.
- Nigeria vs Italy, Saturday July 31 at 6:40 a.m.
- Australia vs Germany, Saturday July 31 at 10:20 a.m.
–
