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When: 21h30 (GMT+3)
Where: Kayseri
Watch: FIBA TV, Sport1
Plot: Young German team (24.2 years in average) is facing the oldest, most experienced of the whole competition (30.4* years). For Germany, Jagla had a terrific preparation but is now facing one of the best power forwards in the game. Argentina tries to recover from the Nocioni injury setback. None of the young Germans has ever faced a deadly two man weapon like the Prigioni-Scola pick and roll in their career ever before. Learning experience for them.
Big question in Germany is how the young guns have developed. Benzing was criticised by Bauermann for not sticking to his individual workout plan throughout the season. Harris had a spendid season at the four spot in Gonzaga but is not making progress as far as small forward skills go. Pleiss had a breakout season in Bamberg where he emerged as a defensive presence and able pick and roll finisher but still needs to add muscles if he wants to prevent being pushed around like happened last summer. Crazy shooter Schaffartzik - he shot 8/8 vs Greece and 6/6 vs Croatia in Poland - failed to score in double figures in preparation.
Delfino cannot replace Ginobili's exceptional creativity but Argentina still has easily enough quality to reach the semifinals once again. One of the last opportunities for this golden generation of Argentine basketball. And for me personally, 2004 Argentina played the most attractive basketball I've ever seen. Big respect already, let's see if they can gather enough energy for one more push towards the medals.
No sane mind will have high expectations for Germany in this one, but since IBN is full of insane people these days, Germany are runaway favourites 130-1.
*before Nocioni's exclusion.
Where: Kayseri
Watch: FIBA TV, Sport1
Plot: Young German team (24.2 years in average) is facing the oldest, most experienced of the whole competition (30.4* years). For Germany, Jagla had a terrific preparation but is now facing one of the best power forwards in the game. Argentina tries to recover from the Nocioni injury setback. None of the young Germans has ever faced a deadly two man weapon like the Prigioni-Scola pick and roll in their career ever before. Learning experience for them.
Big question in Germany is how the young guns have developed. Benzing was criticised by Bauermann for not sticking to his individual workout plan throughout the season. Harris had a spendid season at the four spot in Gonzaga but is not making progress as far as small forward skills go. Pleiss had a breakout season in Bamberg where he emerged as a defensive presence and able pick and roll finisher but still needs to add muscles if he wants to prevent being pushed around like happened last summer. Crazy shooter Schaffartzik - he shot 8/8 vs Greece and 6/6 vs Croatia in Poland - failed to score in double figures in preparation.
Delfino cannot replace Ginobili's exceptional creativity but Argentina still has easily enough quality to reach the semifinals once again. One of the last opportunities for this golden generation of Argentine basketball. And for me personally, 2004 Argentina played the most attractive basketball I've ever seen. Big respect already, let's see if they can gather enough energy for one more push towards the medals.
No sane mind will have high expectations for Germany in this one, but since IBN is full of insane people these days, Germany are runaway favourites 130-1.
*before Nocioni's exclusion.
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