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Full Version: Day 1: Group B
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Sunday, August 10



Germany vs Angola 11:15 LT 4:15 GMT

Spain vs Greece 14:30 LT 7:30 GMT

USA vs China 22:15 LT 15:15 GMT



Angola gave a good game for Germany in 2006 but I think this won't happen this time. The game will probably be close but the Germans should not let this away.



Spain vs Greece is certainly game of the day. Both teams are very strong and been playing well this summer. I really hope to see a great fight till the last seconds. USA, Spain and Greece should take top 3 spots in Group B so this win is very important to both teams.



Although China plays at home and will have crowd support, they don't any chances against USA. They are simple on different levels. Fans will probably want a good fight from the players. I can not rule out the possibility that Jonas Kazlauskas will not be wasting the energy of his players in a game that they realistacally can't win.
Sorry for my absence. I was on holiday actually. Now I'm back! <!-- sSmile -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]<!-- sSmile -->

So, we have Germany vs Angola, Spain vs Greece and USA vs China.



Germany vs Angola

Well we all know Dirk's "madness" for the Olympics. Now he is here, with the best Germany NT of the last 4-5 years, along with another Nbaer, Kris Kaman. I bet all my money on Germany's winning. I don't know so much about Angola (no offense), but I know they are a physically strong and very athletic team, with a non-losing mentality. I give a 70-30 for Germany. Dirk will surely be the key factor for the result of the game, as always of course!



Spain vs Greece

Well, the ultimate derby, the 2 best teams of the world, according to the results in the latest World Championship. Very strong teams, with huge names in guards. Greece has the 2 best point guard currently in Europe, Thodoris Papaloukas and Dimitris Diamantidis, along with spectacular Vasilis Spanoulis and a very mature Nikos Zisis. On the other hand, Spain will use the NBAers Calderon, Fernandez and an-ex one, the best SG currently in Europe, Navarro. Also, we can see some great names in forwards and centers (like Gasol, Baby Shaq, Garbajosa, Tsartsaris etc). I give a 55-45 for Spain, mainly because I don't trust the refs, especially after the last game in Madrid, were Spain National team was "named" the winner, by all means.



USA vs China

Kobe Bryant is back! Actually, China hasn't a SINGLE hope. Yao Ming, is something, but having so talentless (no offense again, but that's the truth) guards, especially in the playmaking position, is a serious issue. Kazlauskas is also another weapon of the China team (along with the fact that, they will play in their home), but USA is some levels above. Kobe, "King", Carmelo, Wade, Kidd, Howard etc. Simply, wow! I give a 85-15 for USA, of course...



If you want my predictions for the group, I would probably say something like that:

1) USA

2) Greece

3) Spain

4) Germany

5) China

6) Angola

Yeah, I gave 55-45 to Spain, but I think (and hope) that the Greek team, will grab the win this time! <!-- sSmile -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]<!-- sSmile -->
Germany will win imo, but they might have some difficulties (2 OTs last time they met). Spain vs Greece can go either way, but imo Spain has a slight edge. USA will easily beat China.
Angola is playing very very well, they are not letting the Germans control the game, answering right back either with long range shots or quick penetrations. Both teams are making their shots. Should be a high scoring game if the rhythm keeps up.



Edit: Yao's watching the game <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Tongue' />
What a 3-pointer! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Biggrin' /> Dirk's the only player on the planet able to do that!

Angola conceding 54 pts in a half, that's way too much... They're doing OK on offense, but on defense they are just too passive.
Germany just couldn't start any better, but tough loss for the Angolans. They are certainly better than this and they have already proved it.
Germany 95:66 Angola

Spain 81:66 Greece



I only saw some bits of Spain - Greece so I can only comment on this game. The beginning was quite offensive but Greece managed to slow the tempo down and the game was relly close until Spaniards made some fast breaks and turned the game on their own way.



If I was Greek I would really be mad at Spanoulis <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Tongue' /> Some bad decisions and unnecessary shots. Plus he made only 6 of 11 free-throws. This win will certainly boost Spain's confidence. Meanwhile Greece must win against Americans (presuming they win against other teams) if they want to finish in the top 2 spots.



With 4 minutes to go USA leads China 89:54. Easy win as expected but the first two quarters were pretty close and enjoyable to watch. Chinese made around 10 3-pointers in the first half. Then Americans put pressure on them in defense which saw them taking the lead in double digits in a short time.
I had to stay up till 6:00am to watch.
[quote name='"Straight Faced":1goyd635']I had to stay up till 6:00am to watch.[/quote]

And what do you think about the game?
[quote name='Straight Faced' date='10 August 2008 - 09:16 PM' timestamp='1218395815' post='11256']

And what do you think about the game?[/quote]

Which one?
USA vs China or any other.