Four groups will vie however solely two will transfer ahead when the semifinals stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup kicks off on Friday on the Mall of Asia Arena with 4 powerhouse groups seeing motion.
Team USA will tackle Germany at 8:40 p.m. with hopes to proceed its title redemption bid whereas star-studded Canada will slug it out towards surging Serbia within the opening salvo at 4:45 p.m.
None of the 4 groups, surprisingly, have been a part of the ultimate 4 squads within the 2019 version.
After successful back-to-back titles in 2010 in Turkey and 2014 in China, the Americans absorbed an early exit in 2019 in Spain after falling to France of their quarterfinals showdown, 89-79.
And with an opportunity for a return to the finals now, USA is anticipated to go full throttle towards the Germans with younger weapons Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Mikal Bridges, and Austin Reaves main the best way. On the best way to the semis, USA nearly went unscathed because it defeated New Zealand, Greece, and Jordan within the first spherical earlier than dominating Montenegro. However, they did fall to Lithuania within the second spherical.
But the Americans then bounced again sturdy and pulled off a surprising 100-63 victory towards Italy within the quarterfinals.
They will not have it simple within the semis, particularly with Germany eyeing to get its first-ever World Cup win towards the USA. Tipped to steer Germany are Dennis Schroder, who’s the present main scorer and passer within the squad, and brothers Franz and Mo Wagner.
(Canada’s RJ Barrett and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander on the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Photo: fiba.basketball)
Meanwhile, Canada, additionally bannered by a number of NBA gamers, is seeking to defeat Serbia and avert a 2014 finals rematch between the latter and the USA.
Canada is coming off an announcement 100-89 conquer the Luka Doncic-led Slovenia and the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Walker, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and Kelly Olynyk aren’t prepared to finish their journey but.
(Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic on the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Photo: fiba.basketball)
In order to do this, nonetheless, they must cease Bogdan Bogdanovic, Stefan Jovic, Nikola Milutinov, and Filip Petrusev because the Serbians look to make a finals comeback for the primary time since 2014, the place they fell to USA within the gold medal match.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
