By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Get ready for a big day! At this point every result counts on the race to the 16 best teams of the world and only four tickets, by Team USA, Greece, Spain and Slovenia are locked. That means very few games with no meaning, fights among the top teams of each group and upsets waiting to happen
The schedule (local time)
Group D: Mexico – Australia (12.30)
Group B: Philippines – Puerto Rico (13.30)
Group C: New Zealand – Ukraine (15.00)
Group A: Egypt – Iran (15.30)
Group D: Slovenia – Angola (16.30)
Group B: Senegal – Argentina (17.30)
Group C: Turkey – Finland (17.30)
Group A: Serbia – Brazil (18.00)
Group D: Lithuania – Korea (19.00)
Group B: Greece – Croatia (20.00)
Group C: Dominican Republic – USA (21.30)
Group A: Spain – France (22.00)
The must-sees
In Group A there’s a rematch of last year’s Eurobasket semifinal, as the hosts, Spain, will play against France, while Serbia will compete against Brazil for a better position in the final group standings. Croatia will be fighting for a spot in the second round against unbeaten Greece in Group B. Also in Group C Turkey and Finland, having just one win after three games, are going to play for their survival.
The individual attractions
Can Dieng lead Senegal to one more upset, this time against Argentina? A very interesting question. The same applies to an other big man, Gustavo Ayon, against the solid national team of Australia. Also it will be interesting to watch Francisco Garcia against Team USA, which have beaten badly the Dominicans in a prep game. And can Ukraine build over the win against Turkey with one more good result over New Zealand and Pooh Jeter leading the way, like he is doing since last year?
For pride
Egypt vs Iran and Philippines vs Puerto Rico will be important games for the teams involved. Why you ask? Because all of them are still searching their first win in the tournament.
The one sided affairs
Angola and Korea don’t have much chances against Slovenia and Lithuania. So expect big scores.