What the first two days of the World Cup taught us

His first game World Cup ended without any deafening surprise, but with several groups showing their moods and with useful conclusions for the sequel. Let’s look at some of them:

Christos Robolis writes from Manila

* Those who still disparage the NBA, let them see how special the real stars of the top league are in FIBA ​​Basketball as well. From All Stars like Doncic, SGA, Edwards, Jackson, Branson, Markkanen and Markkanen, to Fontecchio, Guidi, Schroeder, M. Wagner, Olynyk, Valanciunas, Bogdanovic and Vucevic, we’re talking about another level .

* Defenses are necessary, but the offensive talent is probably what now determines the matches even in FIBA ​​basketball: The winners of the 16 premiership games scored an average of 94.4 points. Not in 48 minutes like in the NBA, but in 40.

* Canada and Australia it is the closest in quality to the US. Having, moreover, better communication codes as teams with a trunk of several years in contrast to Team USA that downloads disposable compositions at every event, it is possible that they will eventually have similar chances to win the title.

* Canada’s win over France means that one of France (if the “blues” beat Latvia tonight) and Spain will be left out of the quarterfinals. If, however, the “tricolors” lose tonight, then the Eurobasket and Olympic Games silver team will go to the 17-32 ranking matches.

* THE Germany is currently the more complete European team. With few absences, body from last year and strengthened significantly with Moritz Wagner. Win or lose against the Australians in today’s summit derby, Slovenia will hardly beat either of these two teams in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals. A Doncic does not bring spring.

* Is a great shame for Greece to have so many absentees. The path to the top eight and beyond this year was paved for big things if the National team was as complete as last year. With Giannis, Sloukas, Kalathis, Mitoglou and others (the signatory would prefer the multi-tool Walkup to the executioner Dorsey), the road to the top four would be perfectly passable and a medal or even a direct ticket to the Olympics in Paris a very realistic goal. But you don’t get anywhere with cases and anyway the others have absences too… So be it, we will fight with those who are here and fight with all the forces they have (and put them) and… wherever it takes us.

* The match against New Zealand it is not easy at all. Even if it doesn’t have Stephen Adams or the Webster brothers. Tough team, who felt it on their skin and olaker Team USA. We will be… thrashed with “Haka”, we will be beaten and we will have to respond accordingly and manage the pressure of “must”. A performance similar to Saturday’s against Jordan may not be enough.

* The tournament has and “black horses”. Don’t be surprised if you see Towns’ Dominican Republic, lackluster Lithuania or underrated Montenegro in the ‘8’. We, again, still have a hidden hope for Greece. Let the burden of qualification to the “16” be removed and then the burdens will be on others.

* The arbitration level it still doesn’t keep pace with the player class. There is a dearth of good referees and strong personalities, with glaring mistakes and incomprehensible decisions.

* Amazing people Filipinos and not only because they are full basketball players. Despite the poverty most of them have, they are always smiling, extremely helpful and enjoying what they live in the World Cup. You might get tired of saying good morning 10-15 times from your hotel room door to the stadium, but it comes from their heart and cheers you up.