United States, always the top favorite at the men’s basketball tournament Olympic gamesHe faces Tokyo 2020 with doubts about a bumpy preparation due to the coronavirus and the delayed incorporations. Your uncertainty is an opportunity for many applicants such as Spain, France, Slovenia or Australia.
The selection of the Stars and Stripes, the undisputed dominator of the Olympics in six of the last seven editions – the only bracket was in Argentina in Athens 2004 – faces Tokyo 2020 amid doubts, not so much because of their defeats in friendly matches against Australia And Nigeriabut because of the difficulties you faced in preparing it.
The problems with the Coronaviruswhich led to the sacking of the Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, and the resignation of the Cleveland Cavaliers Power Forward due to physical problems Kevin love, the group that conducts Gregg Popowitsch added that you cannot train with the NBA finalists, the champions of Milwaukee Bucks Chris Middleton And Jrue vacation and the runner-up in the Phoenix Suns Devin Bookerarriving in Tokyo this Saturday.
These conditions could lead to a more balanced tournament, with traditional teams from these front runners such as Spain, Australia or Argentina being joined by up-and-coming Slovenia for the star of the Dallas Mavericks Lukas doncicwho ran his team at the pre-Olympics and arrives in Tokyo with enthusiasm.
A shorter and more dangerous tournament
All of this in a shorter and more dangerous tournament. The path to gold in the men’s basketball tournament will be shortened from six to eight games at these 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with fewer group matches and one tie to determine the quarter-finals.
If in previous Olympic events the structure of two groups of six with four qualified teams each allowed the big teams to let go in one or even two games, this possibility almost disappears with the three groups of four. They should be used thoroughly and avoid tripping hazards, as the first two of each group and the two best thirds are rated.
This fact increases the competitiveness in such controversial groups as C, which brings together the current world champion, Spain, The runner-up, Argentina, and the European champion, Slovenia, together with the hostess, Japan.
Doncic, accompanied by the eaves Vlatko Cancar and the fulcrum Mike Tobey led his team to the Olympic ticket for the first time in its history by winning the pre-Olympics in Kaunas (Lithuania), it will be the great threat to the Spanish and Argentine teams, both of which are in a process of generational change.
In the Spanish case, ‘La Familia’ unites among its twelve players who have participated in the successful cycle of three Olympic medals, such as Pau Gasol, recovered from two years of injury to bid farewell to the national team at these games, Rudy Fernandez or Marc Gasol. An intermediate generation are the basics Sergio Rodriguez or Ricky Rubio, and the replacement starts with Willy Hernangómez, World champion in China, to the inner 19-year-old Usman Garuba. It will be necessary to see the team drop the last minute Juancho Hernangómez, the theoretical three selection holder.
For his part, Argentina includes the last member of the ‘golden generation’ to win gold in Athens in 2004, the pivot Luis Scola, along with the NBA Facundo Campazzo, Luca vildoza or Gabi-Deck; while they stand out in Japan Rui Hachimura And Yuta Watanabe, even in American basketball.
In group A there is preference United States. Beyond their defeats in their first friendly matches against Nigeria And Australia, then changed by winning Argentina And Spain, the impact of the coronavirus on their concentration and the absences until the last moment, the question arises, how the group of Gregg
Popowitsch and how it will adapt to the differences in FIBA basketball.
He will compete with ‘Team USA’ France, another favorite of the group, led by Nico Batum, Evan Fournier or Rudy gobert, Czech Republic who reached the bill by imposing himself Greece in the pre-Olympics in Victoria (Canada) and is their most outstanding player Tomas Satoransky, e Iranwhere the giant continues to wage war at 36 Hamed haddadi (218 centimeters).
Group B is presented with greater equality in which they will compete Australia, awarded by FIBA as a gold candidate for his good performance in previous friendlies and with Patty Mills als Figur, a Nigeria full of NBA players who surprised the US in Las Vegas, Italy who won the pre-Olympiad in Belgrade (Serbia) and Germanywho did the same in Split (Croatia).
The top two in each group and the top two third parties don’t know their rival because of their position and have to wait for one Lotteries, in which the three group leaders and the best runner-up are in one of the pots, and the other two runner-ups and the two best third-placed winners are in the other.
The draw determines the crosses of Quarter finals – in which teams from the same group cannot be found – and the way to the Olympic final.
United States aiming for ninth Olympic gold, fourth in a row after Beijing in 2008, London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016; while Spain intends to chain its fourth metal after staying at the gates of gold in Beijing and London and receiving bronze in Rio.
Tokyo 2020 Men’s Basketball Tournament Groups:
– Group A: USA, France, Iran and the Czech Republic.
– B group: Germany, Australia, Italy and Nigeria.
– Group C: Argentina, Spain, Slovenia and Japan.
Schedule: group stage from July 25th to August 1st, quarter-finals on August 3rd, semi-finals on August 5th and final and bronze match on August 7th.
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