FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019

[efialtis]

I have noticed we dont have a thread regarding the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup and thought we should change that!

This is going to be the 18. basketball world cup with 32 participants. It is going to take place in China from 31/8/2019 till 15/9/2019 and we will have a total of 96 matches to enjoy.

Personally I cant wait for it to start. Firstly because I have high hopes in my country Greece this time (yeah, Giannis along with his two brothers will start)! Secondly because I love basketball in general and this time many nations seem to take part with many of their NBA star players. Last but not least: There will be some great opportunities bettingwise!

GROUP A

Cote d'Ivoire
Poland
Venezuela
China

GROUP B
Russia
Argentina
Korea
Nigeria

GROUP C
Spain
Iran
Puerto Rico
Tunisia

GROUP D
Angola
Philippines
Italy
Serbia

GROUP E
Turkey
Czech Republic
USA
Japan

GROUP F
Greece
New Zealand
Brazil
Montenegro

GROUP G
Dominican Republic
France
Germany
Jordan

GROUP H
Canada
Senegal
Lithuania
Australia

Even though I think Greece shall play a good role this time, I dont think they will win the trophy... Do you believe anyone could upset the USA this time?  

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[Jating]

As the saying goes, the ball is round, so anything can happen. The US has been upset in the past so it is doable. However, the US is sending their best players after their last defeat like more than 10 years ago if I'm not mistaken.

So I expect another heavy loaded stars from the USA to continue their tradition as the basketball dominant country.

[efialtis]

As the saying goes, the ball is round, so anything can happen. The US has been upset in the past so it is doable. However, the US is sending their best players after their last defeat like more than 10 years ago if I'm not mistaken.

So I expect another heavy loaded stars from the USA to continue their tradition as the basketball dominant country.

Its been a while since the Greek miracle when we beat them... with many of them not even knowing what/where Greece actually is... Greece 101 - USA 95

[swogerino]

I don't see any competition to USA from the teams playing,maybe Spain and Greece are  strong teams from Europe but I think we can all agree that no one of these teams can beat a team which is full of NBA stars.I think for USA should be pretty easy if they don't screw up by the players being selfish and not playing as a team.

[efialtis]

I don't see any competition to USA from the teams playing,maybe Spain and Greece are  strong teams from Europe but I think we can all agree that no one of these teams can beat a team which is full of NBA stars.I think for USA should be pretty easy if they don't screw up by the players being selfish and not playing as a team.

I am not sure what to expect from Spain this time honestly... They are an "old" team by now and I am not sure if they will be able to perform on the very high level they used to over the last years.

[Dreamchaser21]

So many good teams to watch for but the recent championship with United States is really a good one, winning their 5th Title is not easy and for this year they will defend it with all their best. Luckily my country which is Philippines was able to qualified for this world cup, i just hope they will do better this time.

[Zicadis]

As the saying goes, the ball is round, so anything can happen. The US has been upset in the past so it is doable. However, the US is sending their best players after their last defeat like more than 10 years ago if I'm not mistaken.

So I expect another heavy loaded stars from the USA to continue their tradition as the basketball dominant country.

If I am not mistaken the audience for basketball world cup is way too small in size. Anyone that loves basketball, watches the NBA and doesn't give a crap about FIBA.  But if I had to pick a team other than US at the international level, then it'd be Greece for sure. And perhaps the Dutch too.

[efialtis]

I wouldnt agree at all... Actually personally speaking, basketball in Europe has much more to do with the "real" basketball rather than this nba show thing

[jakelyson]

Anyone that loves basketball, watches the NBA and doesn't give a crap about FIBA. 

Anyone who really loves basketball does not care if it's NBA or street basketball. As long as it is basketball, he can appreciate the game.

FIBA is still a competitive tournament. It is not as expensively advertised as NBA but we can still watch a good game in there.

[Upgrade00]

Great to see my home country Nigeria on the list alongside the other African Nations. The sport has always been popular here locally, although not at the same rate as nations like the USA. I hope we make a good account of our selves during the tournament and create a larger pad to launch aspiring basketball players to the top.

[Indamuck]

If the United States sends their best players the other teams won't stand a chance.  It will be pure dominance, USA is just too stacked with all that talent and athleticism.  I don't think many people care much about the FIBA world cup though, the olympics is the bigger prize.  Its the opposite in soccer, no one cares about soccer olympics but only the world cup.

[Darker45]

As the saying goes, the ball is round, so anything can happen. The US has been upset in the past so it is doable. However, the US is sending their best players after their last defeat like more than 10 years ago if I'm not mistaken.

So I expect another heavy loaded stars from the USA to continue their tradition as the basketball dominant country.

If I am not mistaken the audience for basketball world cup is way too small in size. Anyone that loves basketball, watches the NBA and doesn't give a crap about FIBA.  But if I had to pick a team other than US at the international level, then it'd be Greece for sure. And perhaps the Dutch too.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup is not as hyped as the NBA. Everyone has something to say about the NBA and every single team, every single game, and the players. With FIBA, people tend to be not as interactive as with the NBA. The discussion is basically isolated among the people whose countries have successfully qualified for it. But I can easily see the intense and passionate support coming from these people.

My country is also a qualifier for the FIBA Basketball World Cup this year but it would take no less than a miracle for us to even get close to the quarter finals.

I am seeing a three-peat championship for the USA this year. But since I hate some sort of a monopoly in whatever tournament, I hope their championship spree will end.

[kingpin4321]

The FIBA basketball WC needs much more publicity if you ask me, to an extent it goes quite under the radar compared to football and other international sports tournament.
I'm glad a thread like this was initiated, it'll help to create more attention to the tournament in the crypto space and more enthusiasts/gamblers will be able to put their money on their favorite teams
My country qualified and it's a good one for us, I do hope they win the tournament, though it's highly improbable, my money is on USA.

[Harkorede]

I'll definitely be keeping a tab on this thread, I'm from Nigeria and would be hoping the team goes far in the tournament.

 However, I doubt any other country will be able to stun Team USA, I also read about the possibility of Damain Lillard as captain for the team.

[LTU_btc]

I also can't wait for Basketball World Cup. Seems that this year USA will be vulnerable like never before. So many NBA superstarstars will not arrive to national team - LeBron, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, DeRozan, Harden and many others. So, I hope that their dominance will end.
Who are main favorites after USA? Serbia they have very talented generation. Greece with Greek Freak. Spain - maybe, but as said above their main players are old already. I would love to see my country Lithuania going far in this competition, but few recent years were difficult for us.
I'm very disappointed that we won't see some strong teamsin World Cup, like EuroBasket champions Slovenia with Luka Doncic, Latvia with Kristaps Porzingis or Croatia. Thank you @FIBA for this shitty qualification system.

I wouldnt agree at all... Actually personally speaking, basketball in Europe has much more to do with the "real" basketball rather than this nba show thing

I agree. There is no doubt that there is more talent in NBA, but real basketball played in Europe. In NBA real basketball starts in the playoffs only.

[efialtis]

I also can't wait for Basketball World Cup. Seems that this year USA will be vulnerable like never before. So many NBA superstarstars will not arrive to national team - LeBron, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, DeRozan, Harden and many others. So, I hope that their dominance will end.
Who are main favorites after USA? Serbia they have very talented generation. Greece with Greek Freak. Spain - maybe, but as said above their main players are old already. I would love to see my country Lithuania going far in this competition, but few recent years were difficult for us.
I'm very disappointed that we won't see some strong teamsin World Cup, like EuroBasket champions Slovenia with Luka Doncic, Latvia with Kristaps Porzingis or Croatia. Thank you @FIBA for this shitty qualification system.

I wouldnt agree at all... Actually personally speaking, basketball in Europe has much more to do with the "real" basketball rather than this nba show thing

I agree. There is no doubt that there is more talent in NBA, but real basketball played in Europe. In NBA real basketball starts in the playoffs only.

Finally a REAL post and nice conversation, thanks mate! Yes, the qualification system sucked big time... Regarding Lithuania... You are still and will always be a basketball power - lots of respect from Greece.

Greece most likely with 3 Antetokounmpos this time - this is gonna be funny.

[Ulven]

Yes my favorite game deserves serious discussion, Player James Harden will miss the competition.I am very impressed with his crucial passes. Perhaps the American team will suffer from the loss of Hardin's services. We will all follow the contours of the opponent.

[Naida_BR]

Even though I think Greece shall play a good role this time, I dont think they will win the trophy... Do you believe anyone could upset the USA this time?  

I believe that Greece will have a good tournament and we are about to see good basketball from Giannis.
In my bets I will go with Serbia, they have always a lot of talents and skilled players that can win the tournament anytime.

[Questat]

FIBA is approaching, well, I like USA but I think betting odds is not so attractive, I always bet on the dogs so I also like the Spain to win in the competition.
Honestly, I'm not following this much, I love to back my countries team but I know they don't have the size and the length to compete against the best teams in the world.

[jakelyson]

FIBA is approaching, well, I like USA but I think betting odds is not so attractive,

You will not find a good odd betting on them because they are heavy favorites. You will have better odds on teams on the opening rounds.

I'm not following this much, I love to back my countries team but I know they don't have the size and the length to compete against the best teams in the world.

I also do not believe my country will be able to complete well but I think they can pass the first round. So I am looking forward to the betting odds on my countries matches in the first round and make some money there. Nothing feels better than supporting your country and winning some bets on the side.