QF: Australia - Lithuania

[Silent Killer2]

It'll be a good match..

Kalnietis against Mills or Dellavedova..

Aussie bigs against Lithuania bigs..

it should be fun

 

[Modis2]

It'll be a good match..

Kalnietis against Mills or Dellavedova..

Aussie bigs against Lithuania bigs..

it should be fun

Aussies are full favourites here and if they do beat us which i hope they won't i wish them to play in the final they deserve it.

 

[CKR132]

I would have not thought that I would see in this lifetime where Aussies are favored over Lithuania in a knockout match. Unreal!

 

[Boomer2]

Hey fellas, first time poster, long time fan. As an Australian this match up makes the nation nervous, Lithuania have shattered our basketball hopes and dreams at many Olympics lol. Surely this is the game to keep it rolling, the pressure shouldn't get this team, we need to set the pace get the lead and control the tempo. We can't chase games we don't have pure shooters. Even mills can be stone cold for an entire half.we need to dominate the paint, man handle these Europeans who can be intimated. Keep the slick ball movement going and tight defence.

Anyway should be a good game, all the QF's look like grudge matches to be honest, Serbia vs Croatia what a cracker.

 

[LDK2]

Why Argentina is crying that we dont't wanna win against Croatia? We used 8 players rotation, JV played 33 min, Maciulis - 34, Jankunas 28 and Kalnietis 40 mins. Don't be funny and don't cry like a little babies

 

[reamily2]

I always think that all along ltu prefer this matchup than anyone else..

 

[LDK2]

There will be no pressure for us, Australia was the better team in group stage, no doubt. If we'll play like in last 2 games - no chances for us...

 

[each way2]

Lithuania is a bogey team for Australia. Denied them in both 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

 

[Straight forward2]

Well interesting individual matchups. I think Australia has advantage at 1-2 and 5 positions (ironically JV had to be our main gun, but Bogut probably will destroy him at the moment, Baynes probably as well). Lithuania should have advantage at 3 and 4 if Maciulis and Kuzminskas will provide their best (Jankunas and Sabonis will contribute as well). I have a feeling that Australia has physical advantage now. Kazlauskas used over most of the key players and Australia is very physical team. So far Lithuania never played A defence or A+ defence in this tournament, so defensive coherence is the key for Lithuania to stay in the game, but Australia seems much more ready for the 4finals at the moment.

 

[Marty2]

If aussies will play like in group stage we will go home. But playoffs are a different story, psychology plays a big role in such kind of games, we have more experience, and due to that factor i still think that aussies are not favorites in this game, i prefer 50/50.

 

[Shawshank2]

This one game will decide everything, nobody cares what was happening in the group, you win you have a good olympic tournament.Things looks dull for Lithuania at the moment, Australia looks like obviuos favorite in this game.It looks now that Spain broken down lithuanias players believe in themselfs...

Australia have more weapons surely, but will all of them show up in playoffs?

Jonas Valanciunas god dammed never was so pissed on you! Please show up atleast for one f*** game in entire olympics! and some people dares to compare him to Sabonis...If Valanciunas is true star he will show up in main summers game when we will need him desperetely and redeem himself.

This the game were Javtokas can be usefull.Neither Baynes are Bogut are fast, but you need to put big body in front of them and do not let them dominate inside.

If australians will play as good as in the group , they will win.

 

[remigijus2]

I hope we will continue our tradition for past 4 years with Kazlauskas and play our best games in playoffs.

 

[Dtown2]

If I was just going by how they played in group stages it would be Australia in a walk. However knockout round is a different beast. I kind of think Australia blowout or Lithuania close with not much room in between.

 

[Markoishvili2]

Australia is really a tough matchup for Lithuania, because they have a terrific defender in Dellavedova who is perfect matchup for thier best player Kalnietis. Also, Valanciunas is not likely to get out of his funk against tough Aussie bigs Bogut and Baynes. Lithuania also has no answer for speedy Mills. I could see Boomers winning this one by handful.

 

[Mindozas6]

There will be no pressure for us

You could say "there will be no pressure for me", then it'd be fine. Talking about NT players, coaches, it's really crazy thing to say. The pressure will be huge, for both teams, it's Olympics quarterfinals afterall and both has their chances for success, bigger or smaller

 

[Straight forward2]

Australia won't feel too much of pressure, IMO. When the last time they even were at semifinals at Olymics or WC? I think one of the reasons why they play so well is that they don't feel any pressure and some guys like Mills and Dellavedova feeling like unleashed doggies having fan in the park and everything goes for them so far. For Lithuania to lose in 4finals is a tragedy, for Australians - well, decent effort at Olympics. Basketball is not big of a deal in Australia.

Last 2 games Lithuania didn't show up, played soft. I guess the only positive - they won't come relaxed and sated. I hope it will be a dog fight.

 

[Boomer2]

Australia won't feel too much of pressure, IMO. When the last time they even were at semifinals at Olymics or WC? I think one of the reasons why they play so well is that they don't feel any pressure and some guys like Mills and Dellavedova feeling like unleashed doggies having fan in the park and everything goes for them so far. For Lithuania to lose in 4finals is a tragedy, for Australians - well, decent effort at Olympics. Basketball is not big of a deal in Australia.

Last 2 games Lithuania didn't show up, played soft. I guess the only positive - they won't come relaxed and sated. I hope it will be a dog fight.

Let's be honest why Australia isn't feeling the pressure, or in fact just playing well. It's not because the Australians haven't been to the semis since 2000, it's because they are used to pressure now, 4 of the 5 starters have nba championship rings in the last 3 years, you can say they are Bench players but you can't be shit and make the roster of the nba champs.

 

[Straight forward2]

Let's be honest why Australia isn't feeling the pressure, or in fact just playing well. It's not because the Australians haven't been to the semis since 2000, it's because they are used to pressure now, 4 of the 5 starters have nba championship rings in the last 3 years, you can say they are Bench players but you can't be shit and make the roster of the nba champs.

That's another good point. Huge confidence and knowing how to play under pressure. And also, they already experienced FIBA is not a walk in a park in previous tournaments. Maybe Australia had some attitude issues in the past and now they fighting like dogs, maybe they finally really want to win something at FIBA.

But again, It's not going to be easy. Lithuania usually coming with extra motivation in the knock out stage. It's live or die situation for them. I predict some fighting literally, some players might be thrown out.

 

[Boomer2]

That's another good point. Huge confidence and knowing how to play under pressure. And also, they already experienced FIBA is not a walk in a park in previous tournaments. Maybe Australia had some attitude issues in the past and now they fighting like dogs, maybe they finally really want to win something at FIBA.

I think we have always wanted to win, but we just didn't have the players that have that big game big time pressure experience like we do now, delly and mills, bogut and baynes have all played in huge games now and recently. I just hope they don't crumble when it counts haha, as I've said our record against you guys stinks lol.

 

[Mindozas6]

I think we have always wanted to win, but we just didn't have the players that have that big game big time pressure experience like we do now, delly and mills, bogut and baynes have all played in huge games now and recently. I just hope they don't crumble when it counts haha, as I've said our record against you guys stinks lol.

Croatian record stinked too and look what happened And you have better one against us than Croats, you won last two official games in 2014 and 2008, even tho latter was meaningless game for us and some of our players came on court after having some night-out But afterall we all know that past results means nothing here and now. Thi Australia looks really great, Bogut lifted your team to another level + of course Delly, Mills bein' in great shape