Czech Republic vs USA
Team USA are coming in with same old lofty expectations as they’ll compete in the much-awaited FIBA World Cup starting on tomorrow in Shanghai, China.
The Gregg Popovich-mentored squad isn’t as star-studded as expected with most NBA stars dropping out, but it will be foolish to count them out.
USA is ranked as the top country and rightfully so, as they’ve dominated the competition for the past 13 years. They are currently placed in Group E against the likes of Turkey, Japan, and Czech Republic.
Meanwhile, Czechia will be making their World Cup debut after sneaking in through the European qualifiers. The Ronen Ginzburg-coached team has progressed year after year, highlighted by their splendid performances in their last three EuroBasket.
While this may appear to be a David and Goliath matchup, expect a lot of FIBA World Cup 2019 highlights in this one with guys like Kemba Walker and Tomas Satoransky playing the point for their respective clubs.
SBOBET discusses some talking points ahead of this game on Sunday.
Talking Points
Who can stop Team USA?
That has been the question by all other national teams since they last lost in the 2006 FIBA World Cup semis against the Greeks. Under then-coach Mike Krzyzewski, the star-spangled team notched 76 straight wins in a 13-year span – including exhibition friendlies.
For the better part of the decade, NBA superstars have taken turns in bringing USA the gold. This time around, however, majority of them are keen on focusing their energy towards preparing for the long 2020 NBA season ahead. But nonetheless, talent will never be an issue for Team USA as a lot of up-and-coming NBA players seized the opportunity to serve their country.
Kemba Walker will serve as the captain of the squad and he will be joined by the likes of new Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. Other standouts like Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Myles Turner, and Harrison Barnes will join in as well.
Gregg Popovich will man the helm for the Americans. He has served as the head coach for the San Antonio Spurs for over two decades in the NBA and is highly regarded in the coaching circles.
The Americans have never looked this vulnerable in the past few years. But time and time again, they’ve always proved that their overwhelming talent can defeat any other team on the planet.
Can Czech Republic make the most out of their tourney debut?
Czechia have always been close to making it in the big stage. However, they’ve experienced a topsy-turvy journey over these last few years.
They made their return in the EuroBasket last 2013. From there, they finished seventh in the 2015 edition, but they missed their chance at the Rio Olympics when they bowed out in the Olympic Qualification Tournament back in 2016.
After another disappointment in EuroBasket 2017, Coach Ronen Ginzburg guided Czech Republic to a strong European Qualifiers campaign – finishing with an 8-4 record as they booked their ticket to Group E.
The 14th-overall ranked team is to be led by Tomas Satoransky, who recently moved to the Chicago Bulls after playing backup minutes behind John Wall and the Washington Wizards. He will be tasked to carry the offensive cudgels for Czechia, especially after losing Jan Vesely due to a knee injury.
He will be supported mainly by the improving Ondrej Balvin. The seven-footer is a strong post presence and he can knock down the three-pointer from time to time.
All odds are stacked against Czechia in this game. But perhaps this is a great gauge for them on how they stack up against the world’s best.
“Facing the best team in the world is a great opportunity to evaluate your progression, and to get to know our level of competitiveness too,” said Satoransky in a recent interview.
History
Team USA have made 17 total appearances in the FIBA World Cup. They’ve amassed five golds, three silvers, and four bronzes. Save for their exhibition loss against Australia, their last loss in international competition was way back in the 2006 FIBA Worlds when they lost against Greece.
On the flip side, this will be Czech Republic’s first-ever appearance in the said tournament since they joined FIBA in 1993.
Betting Tip
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Czech Republic vs USA | USA Asian Handicap -32.50 @1.93 |
| September 1, 20:30 (GMT+8) |
Is there ever any doubt?
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, team USA is expected to win in this game by a large margin. In fact, they are the overwhelming favourites pegged 1.44 to win the whole tournament, as per FIBA World Cup 2019 odds.
With that said, it’s up for Czech Republic to put up a fight against the mighty Americans. If they’ll lose by below 20 points, it can be considered a victory in itself for Coach Ronen Ginzburg.
Czechia can instead turn their focus to beating Turkey and Japan in order to advance in the second round, and that sounds even more realistic than pinning your hopes to beating USA.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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