By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
One semifinal is set after the win of USA and Lithuania and the other couple will be decided today in the other two quarterfinal games which will be held in Madrid. Here’s what to expect from the replay of two group games.
Madrid: Serbia – Brazil (18.00)
As Serbia has proven against Greece, group games doesn’t mean much and the 81-73 win of Brazil over the Serbs in Group A at this point can only be a motive for the players of coach Djordjevic. Marcus Vieira with 21 points and 6/9 threes was the key player for the Brazilians, something which probably will not happen again. Brazil’s front line will have one more chance to prove it’s better, but Serbia more than stood its ground against the trio of Splitter, Nene and Varejao once and it can do it again. Ultimately that’s expected to be a game of guards. The play of Teodosic, Bogdanovic and Markovic against Huertas, Barbosa and Neto. It will be fan to watch…
Madrid: France – Spain (22.00)
The big favorite in a rematch of the group phase game against France, or if you prefer, last season’s Eurobasket semifinal. However without Tony Parker, France is a different team and can’t keep up with the loaded Spanish roster. We expect from the “Bleus” to fight, but it will be more than hard for them to stay competitive. There’s a gap of talent and personality, which to be honest, even with Parker present, it’s questionable if it can be bridged when Spain has all its stars available.