By Utkan Şahin / info@eurohoops.net
The 2023 World Cup will begin on August 25th and will be a grand celebration for basketball fans all over the world.
The dull summer is over, the best international teams will face off in a few days and compete for the ultimate trophy. Following this basketball feast will be enjoyable yet challenging, as we will have multiple matches on the same day.
Eurohoops understanding the complexity of the mixed schedule and the difficulty of keeping up with every game has identified the top 10 crucial contests you shouldn’t miss in the first-round groups on your behalf.
Our focus was not only on the entertainment factor but also on the games that could potentially determine the fate of the groups and the tournament.
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If you’re ready, here are the ten matchups from the first-round groups that you shouldn’t miss
Dominican Republic – Philippines (Group A)
Match date and time: August 25th / 14:00 CET
In Group A, expecting Italy to lead the group is not an outrageous prediction, while Angola finishes at the bottom. Consequently, the battle for second place in the group will be between the Dominican Republic and the host country, the Philippines. Moreover, both teams will have an NBA star card in this fight.
While Karl-Anthony Towns returns to the national team after years, the Philippines will have their homegrown player, Jordan Clarkson, on the court. Watching the duel between these two on Friday will be truly enjoyable.
Frankly, Towns’ teammates have the upper hand. The players from the Dominican Republic have more experience and a higher level in the global basketball scene compared to their Filipino counterparts. Therefore, the favorite in the match is the Dominican Republic, but the Philippines is the host with passionate fans who truly love this sport. In a game where Clarkson is in form, the fiery supporters will undoubtedly give their full support for their team to win.
This is a critical match for the battle for second place… Towns or Clarkson? Which one will lead their country into the second-round group?