11/05/24
September 04, 2003
Eurobasket 2003. Best Qualifying Tournament.: The PanAm qualifier had a nice level of talent, but it was over before it started. Eurobasket looks to have better competitive balance. Even the friendlies are spirited. Who's your favorite in the draw?(More inside...)
How come Israel competes in Europe but Syria and Jordan don't?
posted by billsaysthis at 02:34 PM on September 04, 2003
Good question. Do they even field a team? If they did would they be in this tourney? Anyone have a line on this?
posted by lilnemo at 02:41 PM on September 04, 2003
I'm not sure this tourney rates high with my fellow SpoFites, so I'll post my picks here rather than in a column (unless you want a column- email me). Here's a quick run down.
In Game 1 I take Slovenia over Italy; they have more size, and better guard-play.
In Game 2 I take Lithuania over Latvia, Songaila and Kambala cancel each other out as far as I'm concerned but what does Latvia do about Jasikevicius?
In Game 3 Serbia-Montenegro hands Russia their ass to them. S & M may not have Divac or Bodiroga but they'll still run the Russkies. The key here is S & M's experienced perimeter play (Stojakovic, Jaric, and Vujanic). It also doesn't help when you spout off like this. Kirilenko is good, just not as good as Stojakovic.
In Game 4 Greece vs. Croatia, I take Croatia to eek this out. Their forward play is quite similar, I don't think the Greeks can slow down Giricek or Planinic. Giricek's status in lieu of his injury could come into play.
In Game 5 I like France in a run-away, the loss to Sweden hurt, but I think they'll rebound to beat the Bosnians.
In Game 6 Germany steamrolls Israel. Nowitzki. End of story.
In Game 7 the Spaniards crush Sweden. I like the host nation. Their win over France in their friendly makes nice copy. But they have no answer for the "Pink Panther".
In Game 8 Turkey beats the Ukraine over the head with it's depth (Okur, Turkoglu, etc.).
posted by lilnemo at 06:05 PM on September 04, 2003
| Team | Score | Team | Score |
| Spain | 99 | Sweden | 52 |
| Slovenia | 77 | Italy | 67 |
| Serbia | 80 | Russia | 95 |
| Ukraine | 69 | Turkey | 77 |
| Greece | 77 | Croatia | 76 |
| France | 98 | Bosnia | 76 |
| Germany | 86 | Israel | 81 |
| Lithuania | 92 | Latvia | 91 |
6 out of 8 picks ain't bad!
posted by lilnemo at 05:13 PM on September 05, 2003
By the way bill, Syria & Jordan are affiliated with FIBA-Asia. They will have a chance at Olympic Qualifying at the Asian Championship for Men. It's being held in Harbin, China from September 23 - October 02, 2003. FIBA-Africa recently held the African Championships where Angola qualified for 2004.FIBA-Oceania is currently holding its Oceania Championship for Men where the Australian "Boomers" qualified for 2004.
posted by lilnemo at 05:29 PM on September 05, 2003
It appears FIBA considers countries west of Jordan as "European". I have no sources to back this, only a guess.
posted by lilnemo at 05:37 PM on September 05, 2003
Lebanon? What about Lebanon?
posted by billsaysthis at 10:54 PM on September 05, 2003
FIBA and FIFA both put Israel in European competition because of the obvious political issues involved in Israel meeting their Arab neighbours in competition. If only Canada could join FIBA-Oceania for similar reasons we'd make it to the Olympics every time!
posted by Steve-o at 04:52 PM on September 06, 2003
Do you like:
Nowitzki, Okulaja and Germany?
Parker, Abdul-Wahad, Moiso and France?
Jasikevicius, Songaila, and Lithuania?
Kambala, Bagatskis and Latvia?
Baffar, Burstein, and Israel?
Rentzias, Fotsis, and Greece?
Turkoglu, Kutluay, Okur, Peker, and Turkey?
Giricek, Planinic, Bagaric and Croatia?
Okunskyy and Ukraine?
Radulovic and Italy?
Becirovic, Nachbar, Brezec and Slovenia?
Mujezinovic and Bosnia-Herzegovina?
Stojakovic, Jaric, Drobnjak, Vujanic and Serbia-Montenegro?
Gasol, Navarro, Garbajosa and Spain?
Kirilenko and Russia?
Jonzen, Blom and Sweden?
My wrist hurts...so give me your picks!