Some basketball fans were disappointed at which teams would face each other in Accor Arena this week. Team USA will get a cake walk. It would be good for the sponsors, as America's biggest rivals would square it off in the other half of the draw. But we'll get to that part.
Group play concluded last Saturday, and it was something that fans weren't expecting. Spain, a medalist in three of the four previous Olympics, won't advance to the quarterfinals. Some Spanish fans were bitter about the results, pointing out that no black player joined the previous rosters that featured the Gasol brothers.
On the other hand, Japanese fans were saddened at Rui Hachimura's calf injury. The Los Angeles Lakers forward didn't play in the Brazil vs. Japan game last Friday. If he did, the result would've been different. Right? Many Brazilian hoop fans disagreed. It should lead us to the marquee match of that day: the Germany vs. France rematch.
The German team and the French squad met for the third time this summer, and the last one would count the most. Local fans at the Stade Pierre-Murroy weren't surprised at the German squad overwhelming Les Blues in the second quarter. Even LeBron James didn't like France's chances after the loss.
"I wasn't very impressed with their last game. I didn't think they were ready for the physicality of Germany. But other than that, they've been playing some good ball," the Los Angeles Lakers star said.
The loss prompted some fans for French head coach Vincent Collet to resign, but it might not happen next year. Latvia will co-host the 2025 EuroBasket. This will be a chance for the Latvia men's basketball national team to make a rebound after failing to win the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga.
Last but not the least, the Serbia vs. South Sudan game offered a glimpse of the future. Will the future of basketball involve wrestling (of sort)? Serbian head coach Stetislav Pecic thought so. Some Serbian fans thought the playing style of the South Sudanese players was too violent, though.
The results would make a mouth-watering quarterfinals for the fans. And we don't want you to keep waiting.
Germany vs. Greece
Franz Wagner was on fire during the last game, and the Orlando Magic forward could help the German team cruise to the semifinals quite easily. The Germany squad could triple-guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, and if it happens Giannis must rely on his teammates. It happened during Greece'\s (final) group game against Australia.
The Boomers were the favorites on paper, but the Greek team (finally!) played like a team. Serbia's win helped them advance to the quarterfinals. We see a close game between Germany and Greece during the first half, but expect Franz Wagner and Dennis Schroder to shine during the second, or third, quarter. German fans will be excited at their team's first semifinal appearance in the Summer Olympics.
Canada vs. France
Canada vs France were grouped along with Latvia and Lebanon in the first round of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and the Canadian team sent a loud, and clear, message after that game. The Canada men's basketball national team would dominate international basketball in the coming years. And the other teams didn't dismiss it.
Zach Edey was a member of the Canadian squad that won the bronze medal in Manila. He begged off this summer, citing the upcoming NBA season. Did Steve Kerr talked to Memphis Grizzlies management? The current roster seems to be a 2,0 version of the previous Canadian men's team, more competitive, more aggressive, and more intimidating. Canadian fans were delighted at Dillon Brooks harassing Jock Landale during the Canada vs. Australia game.
The French crowd will boo Brooks and the rest of the Canadian team, but Canada will advance. It would be a shame because Les Bleus have a great roster on paper. But the Japanese squad almost upset them. It showed that the French squad didn't get as a group. More new players would join Les Bleus next year, a comforting thought for the home fans.
Australia vs. Serbia
Here's the big question: Will the Patty Mills of old show up? Boomers fans have been asking that question since group play began. Patty Mills exploded during the friendly game between Australia and Serbia in Abu Dhabi, squashing suggestions that Mills shouldn't be included in the starting five. However, the Miami Heats star was on and off during group play.
The Paris Olympics is Mills's fifth Olympic appearance, and his age caught up with him. If Mills were five years younger, the Boomers would've defeated the Canadian in overtime. We will put our money on Serbia because the Serbian men's team wants a rematch with the Avengers Team.
Brazil vs. USA
The Americans will win this game by twenty points or more. Enough said.
We're excited about the semifinal match between Canada and Germany. Expect these two teams to dominate international basketball during the next few years. And we bet on these two teams to play against each other in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Los Angeles, California will host the 2028 Olympics, so that would make the USA the first team to qualify for the biggest multi-sport event. And the biggest NBA stars wouldn't want to take that long trip to Doha (in 2027). We're hoping for the Canadian men to win this game - and for a good reason.
A USA vs Canada gold-medal game would generate lots of buzz. It will be talked about in the years to come. A rivalry between these two North American neighbors would take international basketball to the next level, and this would be IT. LeBron James would be disinterested if not for Dillon Brooks getting all the attention after the bronze-medal game in Manila. This rivalry would make the top NBA players rethink international basketball.
Your thoughts?
Keep in touch with OKBet, the most reliable sports betting platform in Asia. If you want to know what’s happening in the world of sports, whether it’s basketball, football or any other sport, OKBet will keep you fully informed. And you have a chance to gamble and get rewards. Log on now to OKBet!
