Group stage predictions thread

[CanadianKid]

Predict how the groups will turn out and who moves on and who goes home after the group stage.

Group A:
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. Serbia
4. Australia
5. Angola
6. Jordan

Group B:
1. U.S.A
2. Brazil
3. Croatia
4. Slovenia
5. Iran
6. Tunisia

Group C:
1. Greece
2. Russia
3. Turkey
4. Puerto Rico
5. China
6. Ivory Coast

Group D:
1. Spain
2. Lithuania
3. France
4. Canada
5. Lebanon
6. New Zealand

[ınvnceable]

Group A:
1. Germany (with Nowitzki and Kaman)
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Serbia


Group B:
1. U.S.A
2. Slovenia
3. Brazil
4. Croatia


Group C:
1. Turkey
2. Russia
3. Greece
4. Puerto Rico


Group D:
1. Spain
2. France
3. Lithuania
4. Lebanon

[SunOverHStreet]

This is getting ridiculous already...

[Franz]

Group A
1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Australia

Group B
1. USA
2. Brazil
3. Slovenia
4. Croatia

Group C
1. Greece
2. Turkey
3. Russia
4. Puerto Rico

Group D
1. Spain
2. Lithuania
3. France
4. Lebanon

[Dtown]

copy/paste

Right now, going purely of what I saw in the tournaments this year and last I'd say...***

1: Argentina
2: Serbia
3: Australia
4: Germany

Everyone likes to dismiss Argentina as old, but they always seem to be playing for medals in the end. Serbia's time is coming, but I see their coming out party in 2012. Australia I think is consistently underrated here. Germany basically gets in because I think they're a hair better than Angola. The Germans have never really impressed me.

1: USA
2: Brazil
3: Slovenia
4: Croatia

Closer than some might think. Brazil typically gives the US some problems, and when Slovenia's hitting their threes they can be a pain. The difference between Brazil and Slovenia is I trust Brazil's inside game more. Croatia, not completely sold on them but I'm not sure this Iran team is any better than the one that got demolished at the Olympics.

1: Turkey
2: Greece
3: Puerto Rico
4: China

Yep it's my surprises group. Greece/Turkey was sooo close at Eurobasket and even if Greece shows up with a more complete roster I see Turkey pulling the upset and getting payback. Puerto Rico I think are a step below Turkey/Greece, but Russia I feel is only here cause of cash and 2007 Eurobasket, in fact they've impressed me so little that I'm calling China the surprise of the tournament and sending the Russians home in the first round.

1: Spain
2: Lithuania
3: France
4: New Zealand

I don't think any of these teams is going to challenge Spain, so long as the Spain shows up is Eurobasket Knockout round Spain and not those bums of the street that were wearing their jerseys in the first round. Lithuania I feel will be in bounce back mode and show it against every team not named Spain. USA lite err France will do just enough to advance comfortably. 4th place though, I feel is the toughest pick in the entire tournament, it wouldn't be an upset to me if any of the teams got it. I'm leaning toward New Zealand but I'm not the least bit certain about it.

***of course subject to change once we get some rosters.

[Alyosha12]

Predict how the groups will turn out and who moves on and who goes home after the group stage.

Group A:
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. Serbia
4. Australia
5. Angola
6. Jordan

Group B:
1. U.S.A
2. Brazil
3. Croatia
4. Slovenia
5. Iran
6. Tunisia

Group C:
1. Greece
2. Russia
3. China
4. Puerto Rico
5. Turkey
6. Ivory Coast

Group D:
1. Spain
2. Lithuania
3. France
4. Canada
5. Lebanon
6. New Zealand

ROFMAO if those predictions come true i'll eat my pants lol... Just lol, Turkey not even qualifying for the 1/8s, Serbia behind Germany lol...

[CanadianKid]

ROFMAO if those predictions come true i'll eat my pants lol... Just lol, Turkey not even qualifying for the 1/8s, Serbia behind Germany lol...

You have your opinion. I have mine. What are your predictions then?

[khaledlebanon]

Group A:
1. Serbia
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Germany


Group B:
1. U.S.A
2. Slovenia
3. Croatia
4. Brazil


Group C:
1. Greece
2. Turkey
3. Russia
4. Puerto Rico


Group D:
1. Spain
2. Lithuania
3. Lebanon
4. France

[PRSURF]

Group A:
1. Argentina
2. Serbia
3. Australia
4. Germany
5. Angola
6. Jordan

Group B:
1. U.S.A
2. Slovenia
3. Croatia
4. Brazil
5. Iran
6. Tunisia

Group C:
1. Greece
2. Russia
3. Puerto Rico
4. Turkey
5. China
6. Ivory Coast

Group D:
1. Spain
2. Lithuania
3. Canada
4. France
5. Lebanon
6. New Zealand

[Federoy]

My picks...

Group A: (1) Serbia (2) Argentina (3) Australia (4) Germany
Group B: (1) USA (2) Slovenia (3) Croatia (4) Brazil
Group C: (1) Greece (2) Turkey (3) Russia (4) China
Group D: (1) Spain (2) France (3) Lithuania (4) Lebanon

[kaiziken_pinas]

war between Iran and USA.

[perucho123]

predictions for wbc

group A
1- argentina,2-germany,3-serbia,4-australia,5-angola,6-jordan
argentina will be stronger than 08' with pepe,hermman back.dirk and kaman doing magic.serbia not yet.aussie 4 nba players
group B
1- brazil,2-usa,3-slovenia,4-croatia,5-iran,6-tunisia
this will be the upset of the wc . brazil is ready. major abcenses will hurt USA.slovenia and croatia at same level.
group C
1- turkey,2-greece,3-russia,4-puerto rico,5-china,6-ivory coast
turkey will ride the fans to semis.greecend russia will improve but the turkish vibe will be too much.boricuas are better than yao less china
group D
1-spain,2-france,3-lithuania,4-canada,5-n.zeland,6-lebanon
i hope sergio and fran come they will be unstopable. france is a future power.

[obe31]

1 Serbia 2 Argentina 3 Australia 4 Germany
Serbs more experienced, confidence high.

1 USA 2 Slovenia 3 Croatia 4 Brazil
USA.... because it is the USA!

1 Greece 2 Turkey 3 Russia 4 China
Greece... easily if you ask me. We beat the Turks while missing half our roster..With Papaloukas, Diamantidis, Vasilopoulos, Tsartsaris back..we beat them easily this time.

1 Spain 2 Lithuania 3 France 4 Lebanon
Spain....because it is Spain. Lithuania will be a surprise for those expecting to see the Lithuania of Euro 09.

[obe31]

1: Turkey
2: Greece
3: Puerto Rico
4: China
Yep it's my surprises group. Greece/Turkey was sooo close at Eurobasket and even if Greece shows up with a more complete roster I see Turkey pulling the upset and getting payback.

This is interesting. I tried to think as objectively as possible. I laid down the facts but I did not get to the same conclusion as you. Turkey winning..is this a gut feeling you have or something?
I know this is just a prediction thread (boring if no arguments are made if you ask me) but for arguments sake (I respect your opinion of course) lets state the facts:

1)Euro 09 Greece faced Turkey with basically only one of the usual starting 5 players (Spanoulis) and still beat them.

2)This year all players will be back with no injuries and feeling fresh after a whole summer of not playing basketball

3)Big Sofo is having the best season of his carreer

4)They are more experienced than Turkish players

5) Big question mark on how the Turkish players are going to handle all this pressure, playing with home court advantage.
I remember a turkish poster here this summer saying "hold the Turkish nation on your shoulders" for the Turkish team before they played against Greece.If this was said in Euro09 tournament, what would they say for a World Cup which is hosted byTurkey.

6) Home court advantage. This is the only advantage I see at the moment for Turkey.

I would appreciate your arguments (and everybody else actually) on why do you see Turkey winning.

Cheers

Nikos

[damelo]

France's objectives is 2nd of the group. We start playing Spain, which could be the best way to beat them at once, but we have to beat all other opponents to show our ambitions.
This team's goals will be very high. Lithuania may be stronger, but we can easily put up a roster able to challenge and beat them. They need a PG, and probably will bring back Jasikevicius, but his athletic abilities may limit him guarding Parker.
All other team should be no problem if we stay concentrated, which used to be our main weakness lately.
From what French team showed at last EC, we are definitely the top contender for that second place. Getting first one would be a bonus.