Opals and Boomers at the Paris Olympics

[Professer E]

Aren't Spain a top 3 side EB?  If so, that's a pretty fair result I reckon.

[madbluboy]

Aren't Spain a top 3 side EB?  If so, that's a pretty fair result I reckon.

Not really.

Last year the top 4 were the Germany, Serbia, Canada and the USA who have fielded a much stronger side this time.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Aren't Spain a top 3 side EB?  If so, that's a pretty fair result I reckon.

Prof, Spain are ranked second by FIBA in the world but at this Olympics I think are ranked behind us at about 6th or seventh.
They have a few past and present NBA players and had decent leadup form in the games they played but are not seen as a threat like they have been before.
FIBA rankings can be misleading as a lot of the NBA players dont front up and more locals play in their sanctioned tournaments and world championship games.
Canada are the No2 ranked team courtesy of their NBA stars and Serbia and Germany would round out the top 4.
France have a softer pool and the most hyped player in the world in Victor Wembanyama but have been playing poorly in leadup games but I expect them to improve and being the home team they may sneak into the top 4.
The USA should win easily given their star power but often their teams dont gel that well and the personalities work against each other but history shows that their depth in talent usually wears other teams down and its often their bench players who play best.

[DJC]

The "official" FIBA Olympic rankings as at 24 July are:
1. USA
2. Germany
3. Serbia
4. Canada
5. Australia
6. France
7. Spain
8. Greece

However, that doesn't mean a great deal and none of those teams, even the USA, are unbeatable.

[madbluboy]

The Yanks smashed Serbia (who are way better than us), no one is beating them.

[ElwoodBlues1]

The Yanks smashed Serbia (who are way better than us), no one is beating them.

Shot it well from long range did the USA and Durant had 23 from the bench...Serbia rely on NBA star centre Jokic but he hasnt had much help from his teammates. Serbia are a bit over-rated imo and I think Canada are way better...

[DJC]

Shot it well from long range did the USA and Durant had 23 from the bench...Serbia rely on NBA star centre Jokic but he hasnt had much help from his teammates. Serbia are a bit over-rated imo and I think Canada are way better...

I know you can't rely too much on the Basketball Showcase results but we had a convincing win over Serbia who seemed to be fair dinkum in their approach to the game.  Confidence plays a big part too and I think the Boomers are confident that they can take it up to any team.  Time will tell ...

[DJC]

Opals smashed by Nigeria 75-62.

Sandy Brondello needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

[ElwoodBlues1]

Opals smashed by Nigeria 75-62.

Sandy Brondello needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat.

Turnovers will do that....their PG played very well and hit some big shots.

[DJC]

Turnovers will do that....their PG played very well and hit some big shots.

I don’t think the Opals were expecting such a physical game … although after Liz Cambage’s work, the Nigerians will always have a decent crack.