By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 2019 FIBA World Cup is set to tip off this weekend with the playing field expanding to 32 national teams. Only two have participated in all previous 17 tournaments, only one made it to the final stage for the first time. Eurohoops breaks down the experience every World Cup participating country has gained through the decades.
USA
18th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 2nd in 1950, 1st in 1954, 2nd in 1959, 4th in 1963, 4th in 1967, 5th in 1970, 3rd in 1974, 5th in 1978, 2nd in 1982, 1st in 1986, 3rd in 1990, 1st in 1994, 3rd in 1998, 6th in 2002, 3rd in 2008, 1st in 2010 and 1st in 2014
Times were not always good for the most successful team in FIBA competitions. At China, USA can become the first side with three World Cups in a row and sit alone in first place of the list of the national teams with the most gold medals in the tournament. Many players preferred to skip the trip to China, but Gregg Popovich still has NBA stars gunning for first place honors.
Brazil
18th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 4th in 1950, 2nd in 1954, 1st in 1959, 1st in 1963, 3rd in 1967, 2nd in 1970, 6th in 1974, 3rd in 1978, 8th in 1982, 4th in 1986, 5th in 1990, 11th in 1994, 10th in 1998, 8th in 2002, 19th in 2006, 9th in 2010 and 6th in 2014
Aside USA, the only other national team that has competed in every single World Cup since 1950 is Brazil. A decline can be observed after 1994, but the South Americans have always been around. The 7th World Cup medal might prove out of reach, but a ticket for the Olympic Games of Tokyo will be a solid target for Aco Petrovic’s side at China.
Serbia
16th World Cup berth (1 from Serbia & Montenegro, 12 from Yugoslavia)
Previous appearances: 4th in 2010 and 2nd in 2014 (Serbia & Montenegro participated in 1 World Cup through in 2006, Yugoslavia made 12 runs from 1950 to 2002)
Yugoslavia was among the medalists in 8 consecutive World Cups from 1963 to 1990 including 3 golden runs, won two more gold medals in 1998 and 2002, before Serbia got back on track with the silver medal in 2014. Nobody can ever count out this region rich of basketball talent, especially at China with Nikola Jokic and company gunning for one more historic run to the top.
Russia
14th World Cup berth (9 from USSR)
Previous appearances: 2nd in 1994, 2nd in 1998, 10th in 2002, 7th in 2010 (USSR competed in 9 World Cups between 1959 and 1990)
Similar to Yugoslavia, USSR conquered at least third place in every World Cup through 1963 to 1990. Russia as the main heir of Soviet Union’s legacy captured silver in 1994 and 1998, but has failed to rejoin the elite since. At China, the Russians will face one more difficult challenge with various main players out injured, but deserve to be optimistic on securing a spot in the 2020 Olympic qualifiers.
Argentina
14th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 1st in 1950, 10th in 1959, 8th in 1963, 6th in 1967. 11th in 1974, 12th in 1986, 8th in 1990, 9th in 1994, 8th in 1998, 2nd in 2002, 4th in 2006, 5th in 2010 and 11th in 2014
The Argentinians have only missed four World Cups, always appearing in the final stage since 1986. First place in the inaugural 1950 tournament and second place 52 years later at Indianapolis marked their biggest achievements. This time around at China, they will seek to punch a ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games or settle with a second chance via the Olympic qualifiers.
Puerto Rico
14th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 5th in 1969, 6th in 1963, 12th in 1967, 7th in 1974, 10th in 1978, 13th in 1986, 4th in 1990, 6th in 1994, 11th in 1998, 7th in 2002, 17th in 2006, 18th in 2010 and 19th in 2014
Another team set to make a run for one of Americas Olympic qualifiers ticket is Puerto Rico. After finishing fourth in the 1990 World Cup, Los Gallos made some solid runs until 2002, but only won a total of four games in the last three tournaments. Eddie Casiano hopes to get his country back on track at China.
Canada
14th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 7th in 1954, 12th in 1959, 11th in 1963, 10th in 1970, 8th in 1974, 6th in 1978, 6th in 1982, 8th in 1986, 12th in 1990, 7th in 1994, 12th in 1998, 13th in 2002 and 22nd in 2010
The Canadians are tied with Puerto Rico in first place of the list of national teams with the most World Cup berths without any medal to display. They missed out on World Cup action in 2014, but rebounded to their common position. Several stars decided to forego the competition, but Nick Nurse and the remaining members of his squad will attempt to overcome adversity with a good run at China.
Spain
12th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 9th in 1950, 5th in 1974, 4th in 1982, 5th in 1986, 10th in 1990, 10th in 1994, 5th in 1998, 5th in 2002, 1st in 2006, 6th in 2010 and 5th in 2014
The Spaniards have never fallen lower than tenth place, a significant achievement to say the least. However, the gold medal run in 2006 tops everything. They since settled for sixth place at Turkey and fifth at home soil, but certainly desire to get back in the top four with a plan for a medal at China. A sixth consecutive Olympic Games berth is a realistic target as well.
Australia
12th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 12th in 1970, 12th in 1974, 7th in 1978, 5th in 1982, 17th in 1986, 7th in 1990, 5th in 1994, 9th in 1998, 13th in 2006, 10th in 2010 and 12th in 2014
Aside Spain, Australia is also set for its 12th World Cup appearance. Removing the 2002 tournament from the equation, the Boomers have advanced to the final stage in every other occasion since 1970. No lack of history, no lack of talent in Andrej Lemanis’ current squad either, even though many Australian stars did not make the trip to China.
Italy
9th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 7th in 1963, 9th in 1967, 4th in 1970, 4th in 1978, 6th in 1986, 9th in 1990, 6th in 1998 and 9th in 2006
The Italians are back in the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Their 8 previous appearances proved remarkably stable between fourth and ninth place. A similar finish at China will likely land them a spot in the 2020 Olympic qualifiers, but Marco Belinelli, Danilo Gallinari and captain Luigi Datome seem able to lead the Azzurri even higher at China.
China
9th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 11th in 1978, 12th in 1982, 9th in 1986, 14th in 1990, 8th in 1994, 12th in 2002, 9th in 2006, 16th in 2010
The hosts of the 2019 FIBA World Cup hope to capitalize on their home advantage. China has never finished better than eighth in their 8 previous World Cup berths, but Yi Jianlian, company and fans seem a good enough combination for a better run. Securing the lone Asian World Cup spot for the 2020 Olympic Games is the main target.
Greece
8th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 10th in 1986, 6th in 1990, 4th in 1994, 4th in 1998, 2nd in 2006, 11th in 2010 and 9th in 2014
Greece first made it to the World Cup in 1986, but has since only missed out on final stage action once in 2002. The Greeks rebounded with the silver medal in 2006, but were forced to settle with eleventh place in 2010 and ninth in 2014. Projections on their run at China are much more promising with Giannis Antetokounmpo being the main reason.
France
8th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 6th in 1950, 4th in 1954, 5th in 1963, 13th in 1986, 5th in 2006, 13th in 2010 and 3rd in 2014
France is coming off the bronze medal in 2014. With the particular achievement unlocked, the Blues are set for their fourth World Cup in a row and desire to once again overcome expectations. Despite injury woes, plenty of talent remains at Vincent Collet’s disposal, able to repeat the success at Spain.
Angola
8th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 20th in 1986, 13th in 1990, 16th in 1994, 11th in 2002, 9th in 2006, 15th in 2006 and 17th in 2014
The top African national team is almost a permanent member of the World Cup field since 1986. Angola only missed the 1998 tournament at Greece. At China, the main goal is to punch a ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games attempting to produce some upsets following the path to Tokyo.
South Korea
8th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 11th in 1970, 13th in 1978, 22nd in 1986, 15th in 1990, 13th in 1994, 16th in 1998 and 23rd in 2014
The South Koreans are the fourth national team set for their eighth World Cup run, but are the worst of the pack in terms of previous positions. They have never landed a spot better than 11th, which they secured back in 1970 in their first appearance in a field of 13 sides. The main challenge at China is to secure a 2020 Olympic qualifier ticket with an improved spot in the final standings.
Germany
6th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 13th in 1986, 12th in 1994, 3rd in 2002, 8th in 2006 and 17th in 2010
The Germans are back in the World Cup after being eliminated from the final stage in 2014. China will mark their sixth appearance in the tournament. Third place in 2002 is still the achievement to beat. Dennis Schroder and the rest of Henrik Rodl’s players can only hope to match the success Germany tasted with legendary Dirk Nowitzki in charge.
New Zealand
6th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 21st in 1986, 4th in 2002, 16th in 2006, 12th in 2010 and 15th in 2014
New Zealand will battle Australia for the lone 2020 Olympic games ticket Oceania has to offer. Beyond making to Tokyo or at least securing a 2020 Olympic qualifiers spot, the Tall Blacks will be on a mission to prove they can repeat their country’s largest World Cup success, fourth place in 2002. Missteps held them to twelfth place and worst in every other participation.
Philippines
6th World Cup berth
Previous appearances: 3rd in 1954, 8th in 1959, 13th in 1974, 8th in 1978 and 21st in 2014
The Philippines are the only Asian national team that has ever won a World Cup medal. However, its has been more than five decades since the bronze medal in 1954. At China, the Gilas Pilipinas are set for their sixth appearance in the tournament, but also the second straight. The pattern forming might provide the passionate basketball fans of the country with the joy of a long run at China.