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I know, I know, there's one game left, but the standings are more or less final and the pairs for the QF more or less known - plus, we have an extra day to talk about it 
Group A:
Lithuania was very consistent, playing high quality basketball, with Argentina a close second. I think it's fair to say these two teams proved to be very strong, in equally good shape, and their game has been fast, modern, efficient. Russia has been a huge disappointment, IMO, and I was particularly disenchanted with Blatt - who was probably excessively hyped up, if you ask me. Croatia played better than I expected (their coach has done a fantastic job, methinks) and also the Aussies, although nervous at first, improved when it mattered. Iran was also better than I expected, and I think through tournaments like this they will gain experience that will help them a lot in the future. There's a new contender in Asia.
Group B:
Team USA is the most interesting thing to talk about here. Their game has been phenomenally efficient, and despite all the gibberish I've been reading these past few days about NBA rules, refs being biased, etc., I think they won all their games emphatically and fairly. The big issue though is what they will do now, that the real tournament begins. Past experience has shown that Team USA fares less well in do-or-die games, although this specific team appears to be different. I think the most crucial game for them will be the SF, where - most probably - Greece or Argentina will be waiting. I dare say that Greece and Argentina are the two teams of the tournament with the greatest chances to upset the USA, because of the way they play, which - when it works - can act as a counter to the US game. If the USA wins the SF, they will win the gold medal very easily, remember that.
Spain, on the other hand, has been a bit of a disappointment. Not only did they lose to the USA -40 points, but they struggled against China and, I argue, they won the ghost of Greece on day 1. Speaking of Greece, I think it's once more the wildcard of the tournament. On a good day, they can win anyone, including team USA. On a bad day, they can lose to China. Overall, comparing to the team from the last two years, I think they're better. Probably they'll go against Argentina in the QF, and if their FG is decent and they manage to limit the Argentinian one, they have a good chance for the semi, where everything is possible. Germany, China and Angola have been more or less what I expected, although China was better than I expected. Still, QF will be the end of the road for them, and I think they should be happy they made it there
Group A:
Lithuania was very consistent, playing high quality basketball, with Argentina a close second. I think it's fair to say these two teams proved to be very strong, in equally good shape, and their game has been fast, modern, efficient. Russia has been a huge disappointment, IMO, and I was particularly disenchanted with Blatt - who was probably excessively hyped up, if you ask me. Croatia played better than I expected (their coach has done a fantastic job, methinks) and also the Aussies, although nervous at first, improved when it mattered. Iran was also better than I expected, and I think through tournaments like this they will gain experience that will help them a lot in the future. There's a new contender in Asia.
Group B:
Team USA is the most interesting thing to talk about here. Their game has been phenomenally efficient, and despite all the gibberish I've been reading these past few days about NBA rules, refs being biased, etc., I think they won all their games emphatically and fairly. The big issue though is what they will do now, that the real tournament begins. Past experience has shown that Team USA fares less well in do-or-die games, although this specific team appears to be different. I think the most crucial game for them will be the SF, where - most probably - Greece or Argentina will be waiting. I dare say that Greece and Argentina are the two teams of the tournament with the greatest chances to upset the USA, because of the way they play, which - when it works - can act as a counter to the US game. If the USA wins the SF, they will win the gold medal very easily, remember that.
Spain, on the other hand, has been a bit of a disappointment. Not only did they lose to the USA -40 points, but they struggled against China and, I argue, they won the ghost of Greece on day 1. Speaking of Greece, I think it's once more the wildcard of the tournament. On a good day, they can win anyone, including team USA. On a bad day, they can lose to China. Overall, comparing to the team from the last two years, I think they're better. Probably they'll go against Argentina in the QF, and if their FG is decent and they manage to limit the Argentinian one, they have a good chance for the semi, where everything is possible. Germany, China and Angola have been more or less what I expected, although China was better than I expected. Still, QF will be the end of the road for them, and I think they should be happy they made it there
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