2023-08-30 17:41:00
The first round of the World Cup finished, we will be able to tackle the matches of the second group stage. A second phase which promises XXL posters before the knockout matches, especially in this Group L where we find two big favorites still undefeated: Spain and Canada.
The schedule (matches at Indonesia Arena, Jakarta)
Friday, September 1:
11:45 a.m.: Spain – Latvia 3:30 p.m.: Canada – Brazil
Sunday, September 3:
11:45 a.m.: Brazil – Latvia 3:30 p.m.: Spain – Canada
The rosters
Spain: Alberto Diaz, Sergio Llull, Juan Nunez, Dario Brizuela, Rudy Fernandez, Alex Abrines, Victor Claver, Joel Parra, Juancho Hernangomez, Willy Hernangomez, Santi Aldama, Usman Garuba
Canada : Kyle Alexander, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, R.J. Barrett, Trae Bell-Haynes, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort, Zach Edey, Melvin Ejim, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Phil Scrubb
Brazil: Marcelinho Huertas, Yago Mateus, Raul Neto (blessé), George De Paula, Vitor Benite, Gui Santos, Leonardo Meindl, Lucas Dias, Bruno Caboclo, Tim Soares, Felipe Dos Anjos, Cristiano Felicio
Latvia: Rodions Kurucs, Davis Bertans, Dairis Bertans (blessé), Rolands Smits, Arturs Strautins, Klavs Cavars, Aigars Skele, Andrejs Grazulis, Anzejs Pasecniks, Arturs Kurucs, Arturs Zagars et Kristers Zoriks
What happened in the first round
Before the start of the World Cup, when we were still dreaming of a big career for the France team (what a time), we thought that our Blues were going to end up in this Group L, probably with Canada. If the band of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is there following an impressive first round where he finished first in his group (3 wins in 3 games, +30 inflicted on France), EDF gave way to Latvia ( 2 wins – 1 loss) following his terrible 88-86 defeat in the second game. “The biggest victory in the history of Latvian basketball since 1935” bluntly declared Davis Bertans following the success of his team once morest France, success won despite the absence of star Kristaps Porzingis.
Canada and therefore Latvia will meet Spain and Brazil as planned, respectively first and second in their first round group. If the reigning world champion did the job by easily winning his three matches once morest Côte d’Ivoire (+30), Brazil (+18) and Iran (+20), the Brazilians had to fight to the end to win their qualification, they who beat the catchy Ivorians (89-77) in their last group match.
Home predictions
We are not going to cut corners, Spain and Canada are the big favorites to qualify for the quarter-finals. It’s solid, it’s strong collectively, confidence is at the max, in other words we have two steamrollers in front of us who might quickly break the suspense in this Group L.
Logically, La Roja should have Latvia in their first match of the second round, Latvia which is also deprived of Dairis Bertans for the rest of the competition due to a hamstring injury. If Spain wins as expected and at the same time Canada continues its tour de force by disposing of Brazil (deprived of Raul Neto, injured), the two cadors will already be qualified for the quarterfinals even before the second day of the second phase, where Spaniards and Canadians will meet to finish first in the group.
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