By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Six games are going to be played today in Tel Aviv and Helsinki and three of them can end up being more than crucial for the second phase of the tournament.
Group A (Helsinki) – Slovenia-Poland (13.45 local time)
Get ready for the first Doncic show of the tournament. While Poland is dangerous, Slovenia, in theory, must win this game in order to prove that they are among the better teams of the group.
Group B (Tel Aviv) – Germany-Ukraine (15.45 local time)
Despite the presence of Dennis Schroder, nobody believes yet in Germany. Still, Ukraine is expected to be the punching bag of the group and the Germans should get this one.
Group A (Helsinki) – Iceland-Greece (16.30 local time)
Iceland is the Ukraine of Group A, so this is a must-win game for Greece. The outcome has to do more with the shape of the Greeks, than anything else.
Group B (Tel Aviv) – Lithuania-Georgia (18.30 local time)
A crush test for both opponents. Lithuania doesn’t seem to be as strong as expected, Georgia was impressive during the preparation games and this can be the best game of the day.
Group A (Helsinki) – Finland-France (20.00 local time)
The hosts of Group A have high ambitions in this tournament but their results during the preparation games were disappointing. On the other hand, even this version of France is considered one of the medal contenders. Still, France has the edge.
Group B (Tel Aviv) – Israel-Italy (21.30 local time)
The hosts of Group B had a great preparation leading to the tournament and that can’t be said about Italy. This seems to be a balanced match up and the home crowd can play a role.
(Photo credit: FIBA.basketball)