By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
The situation is simple in Madrid and Barcelona: Win or go home! It’s time for the most crucial games of the FIBA World Cup to start and Eurohoops is here to present the duels of the second phase. Nothing is going to be easy – with two notable exceptions – and here are the past match ups of the second round couples.
Βarcelona: USA – Mexico (16.00)
The result of this contest is predetermined. Gustavo Ayon wasn’t used in the last game of Mexico against Korea as he was protected after a minor injury, but he is expected to be on the court against the USA. The Mexican center may create some issues in the paint, still the talent gap between the two teams is huge. What we expect to see is Team USA being more focused than the group phase and start the game better than usual in this tournament, a little glitch that the Americans need to fix. Kyrie Irving is ready to go, despite a bad fall on his back in the last game of the group phase.
Madrid: France – Croatia (18.00)
This is by far the most interesting game of Saturday. The European champions will be tested against a team, which on paper could be a medal contender. The back court duo of Roko Ukic and naturalized point guard Oliver Lafayette is much more experienced and battle tested than the French guards, the Croatian front line can’t be intimidated and also expect two great personal duels. Batum against Bogdanovic and Diaw against Saric can’t be missed. You just can’t predict what will happen, even if Croatia in recent years has a bad habit of under-performing in the most crucial moments with the notable exception of last year’s Eurobasket.
Barcelona: Dominican Republic – Slovenia (20.00)
After the disappointing final game in group stages against Lithuania, Slovenia has to bounce back against a dangerous opponent. Francisco Garcia will try to lead the Dominicans to the top eight teams of the world, but that will not be easy. The back court of the Dominicans will have a very hard time to contain the Dragic brothers and that is going to be the key of the game. Even if the prize for the winner will be a match up against Team USA in the quarterfinals, the ambitious Slovenians will not give up so easily.
Madrid: Spain – Senegal (22.00)
Senegal already turned heads by advancing to the second round, but this is the end of their road. Spain is the big favorite and even Dieng this time can’t create an upset by himself against the front line of Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka. The Spaniards have the tools to go all the way and they want to put up a show in their nation capital, Madrid.