2008 Olympic Groups determined for Men’s Basketball
Fiba and the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) got together in Beijing on Friday and hosted the official Olympic group drawings. Though all the participants haven’t been determined yet, the teams that have already been qualified were placed into two groups of six:
Group A: Argentina, Australia, Iran, Lithuania, Russia, *Qualifier A
Group B: Angola, China, Spain, USA, *Qualifier B and *Qualifier C
Group A features the stronger competition of the two groups with Argentina, Lithuania and Russia locked into the same group. Perennial threat Lithuania will look to be the dark horse in a group that includes 2007 Euro Champions Russia and the 2004 Olympic Champions Argentina. This group will also include the first place team at the final Olympic qualifier. And that team will most-likely be Greece, whom defeated the US in the recent World Championships. Barring injuries, Greece is the strongest team in the qualifier and let’s not forget that Greece will be playing on their home court; the Olympic qualifier is being held in Athens, Greece.
Group A also has the Boomers (Australia) and surprising Asian Champions Iran.
Group B boasts the United States and Spain, even with the Americans and the Spaniards, group B is the weaker group of the two.
The biggest reaction when the draws were announced. The home team Chinese discovered that they’ll face off against the US Men’s Team in the first game of the first round. That game will be an exciting test for the hosts of the Beijing Olympics, whom have attempted to improve their standing in international tournaments. Though the Chinese like to say that they aren’t concerned about Yao Ming’s availablity for the games, they know their chances of success are tied to the 7-6 center.
Group B also features World Champions Spain, African champions Angola, and the 2nd and 3rd place teams from the Olympic qualifier on July 14th.
Sources and other links: From our forum Olympic Basketball Groups are Drawn discussion, Results of the Draw for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Basketball tournaments (Fiba.com)
