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Levenspiel2
Guest
Friday the 13th, who wins?
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Cojayar2
Guest
Spain. Why?
Friday 13th brings bad luck in Australia.
While in Spain it is Tuesday 13th what brings bad luck.
Sorry guys. The calendar decides.
EDIT: typo. 13th on both countries. Just Friday vs. Tuesday.
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Dtown2
Guest
Rematch of the 2016 Olympic Bronze medal. Hopefully we'll get a repeat of that game, minus the controversial ending.
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HeinrichMohr2
Guest
Tuesday 13th in this case. The Aussies will be terribly tough and Spain will have chances to win just if they're accurate in the 3p line apart from having a good defense. If not, we'll see the Boomers in the final.
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Cojayar2
Guest
Yes. typo. Sorry. Martes 13.
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Picek2
Guest
A game to watch and enjoy basketball and drink a beer or two.
Usually I would always cheer against Spain, but this time would really like for Rubio to succeed.
And this Spain is one Rudy away to be an almost likeable team.
At the same time you gotta love Aussies passion for the game.
They played hell of an olympics three years ago but were dismantled by Serbia and robbed against Spain.
Mills is like a duracell bunny with his running around, Baynes is an animal and Bogut of croatian roots.
Really a game to sit back and enjoy.
Play a bet or two on whoever will lose the first quarter, just to make it more interesting the rest of the game
Usually I would always cheer against Spain, but this time would really like for Rubio to succeed.
And this Spain is one Rudy away to be an almost likeable team.
At the same time you gotta love Aussies passion for the game.
They played hell of an olympics three years ago but were dismantled by Serbia and robbed against Spain.
Mills is like a duracell bunny with his running around, Baynes is an animal and Bogut of croatian roots.
Really a game to sit back and enjoy.
Play a bet or two on whoever will lose the first quarter, just to make it more interesting the rest of the game
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Modis2
Guest
Australia for the W . Will be to much intensity and roughness for Spain from the Aussies in this game 
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Bruno Díaz es Batman2
Guest
Australia.
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Picek2
Guest
interesting that bookies are favouring Spain and since they are adjusting the line further in Spain favour don't think this will change before the game.
sure, Australia didn't beat Spain in the last 20 years or so but Australia has faced tougher opponents here and won them all.
don't really see Spain as a favourite here.
not a clear one anyway.
sure, Australia didn't beat Spain in the last 20 years or so but Australia has faced tougher opponents here and won them all.
don't really see Spain as a favourite here.
not a clear one anyway.
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Darrell Armstrong2
Guest
Australia can win, of course. Even if Spain comes out on top, it won't be easy. But I think we match up with them pretty well. We have good defenders to throw at Mills. Rubio can go hand to hand with Dellavedova. Our forwards can chase Ingles all game long. And Marc can bang with Baynes and Bogut.
One more factor going our way is rest: Spain didn't have the toughest game against Poland, and is enjoying an extra free day. Australian coach is riding his top players much harder, too: Mills and Ingles play over 32 minutes, and Dellavedova almost 29. All three played between 29 and 32 minutes against Czech Republic as well. Only Ricky Rubio was on the floor for that many minutes against Poland, and he averages 25 minutes per game for the tournament.
One more factor going our way is rest: Spain didn't have the toughest game against Poland, and is enjoying an extra free day. Australian coach is riding his top players much harder, too: Mills and Ingles play over 32 minutes, and Dellavedova almost 29. All three played between 29 and 32 minutes against Czech Republic as well. Only Ricky Rubio was on the floor for that many minutes against Poland, and he averages 25 minutes per game for the tournament.
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soulis792
Guest
Australia has never won a semifinal game, this burden could be very heavy for them. Spain knows how to do this. This core of the players is very experienced and mentally tough.
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Darrell Armstrong2
Guest
Well, that's another factor: pressure. Spain won't feel a lot of pressure. Very few people considered us favourites before the tournament started. Some even said we were washed up, until the game vs. Serbia gave those people some food for thought. Our goal was to get the ticket to the Olympics and have fun. Olympics are secured now, so let's have fun. We were World Champions once and we have achieved more than in the past two World Cup editions, so we won't feel first-time jitters or the burden of defending a title.
On the other hand, Australia always comes back home empty-handed, and have been one of the top favourites even before beating Team USA in a friendly game. Now that the other top two teams have been eliminated, they have the easiest path for Gold ever. You can tell there will be more pressure on them, and that may not be a good thing.
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Buzissa2
Guest
This. Perfect analysis.
Australia plays beautiful offense, a lot of guys are involved, but Mills is the guy to stop. Spain has a number of defenders to throw at him and can match Australia's physicality inside.
I believe Spain keeps Australia under 80 points and wins this one.
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Picek2
Guest
that is true, but then again they have never won a quarterfinal WC game either.
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Darrell Armstrong2
Guest
Considering our progression in points allowed, I bet they crack 80 points in this one (62, 63, 65, 67, 69, 78). It's going to be hard because we average a tad under 81 points per game, too.
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Arsonist2
Guest
I think Australia will win for the motivation they bring throughout the tournament, but it is true if Spain comes fine from the perimeter will be all much more balanced, it will be a great game.
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usagre2
Guest
Pau Gasol had 31 points and 11 rebounds in that 2016 Bronze medal game and fouled Bogut out in 14 minutes. Mirotic had 14 and 7. All key Australians are back for this rematch while Spain is missing those two that I mentioned above. This game is a toss up. 1988, 1996, 2000, and 2016 were all semifinal losses for Australia in international tournaments. They have another opportunity to break through here.
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reamily2
Guest
australia offense versus spains defense..the reasonnaustralia making it farther now is because they are now accepting tbeir identity, yes they want to play rugby style defense but still their offense and versatility is their strength
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Darrell Armstrong2
Guest
Well, as I've said before, I don't really think scoring is a big problem for Spain. Without Gasol and Mirotic others have stepped up. Marc and Willy average close to 20 points per game, so the center position is not really a weakness. Juancho and Claver also average 20 ppg, and very efficiently (56% FG, 42% 3PT). Rubio has doubled his scoring output and provides more points than the PG duo of the Olympics without requiring that many shots (15ppg 45%FG). I'm still worried about who's going to provide in the clutch, although Rubio seems to have taken over that role. I just don't trust Bricky.
But even if the offence has taken a step back, our defence is better than before. So no need to score that many points. We'll see. I think Australia is missing some key subs as well and all the games, heavy minutes and travel can take their toll. Anyway Spain is the underdog against both Australia and France. I like it. There's nothing to worry about if we lose.
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HeinrichMohr2
Guest
This second quarter is being awful for Spain. How good Patty Mills.