Very tough first game for boomers, need to start much better than the WC, beat Spain and we'll win the group. I think boomers got this.

Beat Spain and we will win the group is an interesting take. I think they're the weakest country in our pool? Either way, a must win.

I think Boomers, Greece and Spain are all even.

Canada a cut above.

Germany up by eight at halftime, been strong, Japan having a go, just so undersized.

Canada get home over Greece

I was hoping Greece would beat Canada to make our group theoretically less dangerous for us.
It was still a close game though - Barrett and SGA were solid.

I would rather see a clear top 2 teams, even if it's us and Canada, than risk everyone winning 2 and losing 1, in which case it comes down to % doesn’t it? (And possible collusion between Spain and Greece to influence the results?)

If I'm reading it right South Sudan v Puerto Rico at 19.00 today. Should be good game, SS should win comfortably though.

Puerto Rico have been in big tournament situations a lot more, that counts for a fair bit at Olympics. Will be interesting to see if SS can adapt quickly. I suspect they might be competitive but not quite there in this tournament.

This is a cool game so far. It's effectively like a knockout game for both teams and it feels like it!

It's in our best interests for the games between the lower teams in each group to be close with blowouts against the top teams.

Cracking game, PR playing really well, very undersized though. Kuol still grabbing defensively.

Good game, Alvarado getting injured could hurt. Pur by six. Neither side defending that well but very entertaining.

Teah, Alvarado injury could be telling
SSD shooting poorly from 3

Not sure who is commentating but he is outrageously bad. Doesn't seem to know basic rules including calling an "unsportsmanlike foul" a “flagrant foul”. You expect better for the Olympics.

Outrageous dunk by PR there!

PR down by two, quarter to go, just need one more decent big. SS should get it from here. Agreed , commentator has been woeful today, yesterday excellent.

PR really struggling to put the ball through the rim.
Night and day from the first half.

SS got this now, if PR would make free throws and box out they would have been a chance, getting ugly now.

Jones forces too much

OT china v Spain, Chinese threw it away with stupidity in the last few minutes. Spain certainly know how to compete. Good game, nbl refs could learn a bit about letting the game flow like fiba refs do.

China so dumb down the end, got beat by two. Spain are a nation of basketball, they just know how to win. Women game by the way, it was excellent with a good commentator.

Wasn't the ref talking about a clear path on that review too? WTF?

Dante Exum's recovery is coming along well according to Goorj:

Twitter Link

Great to hear about Dante.

If Canada's game plan is to use their guards where they have an advantage, and use their bigs to at least neutralise Australia, then it would be in their interests to set lots of screens and to attack Giddey’s slow foot speed and get him fouled off.

Daniels has been great and should be able to cope with Canada, but Delly might find it a bit too quick for his older legs.

We will need Dante regardless.

Spain just know how to get the job done, lead by 14 @ the half. They can't seem to miss a three point shot, Greek D has been average to be honest. It was a nice start from Greece but GA just can’t do it on his own. Another massive crowd.

Another example if why fiba ball is a much better all round game.

Out Giannis against the same team with NBA rules and refs and he dominate most likely.

Does a Spain win make it tougher for us?

Another example if why fiba ball is a much better all round game.

Out Giannis against the same team with NBA rules and refs and he dominate most likely.

Does a Spain win make it tougher for us?

GA is an absolute beast, fiba rules bring him back to the field a bit though.

It's not only Australia that Spain get the close calls. To be fair to Spain though they are so professional on all aspects including flopping.

Big bucket at end third, Greece trail by six. Good game this, the refs are very good, the crowd as well. Fiba basketball is fantastic.

Two players knocked out by friendly fire two days in a row

Spain by 7 in an excellent game, Greece really had a shot, GA fantastic. While the fiba head quarters are in Spain and at times the look like they get some calls, the Spanish development system is first class, they all shoot, defend, box out, execute game plans excellent.

Really enjoyed the game as well Dunkman. Will be interesting to see how Spain negotiate their transition period in the next few years.

After the Boomers Canada game there will likely be some percentage calculations happening prior to the third games.

The winner of Boomers and Canada will be the only team assured of progressing.

Yeah, percentage in this group in particular could be a critical factor

For a nation of just over 3 million people Puerto Rico certainly play good basketball. 44all against Spain in the ladies.

Cracking contest
59-59
1:50 in the 4th

Interesting no-call at the end.
Would definitely have been a foul in the nbl
I like that the fiba refs make you earn your foul shots.

All the ladies games been fantastic, another Spanish call at the end gives them the game. Where are the headquarters again. Cracking game, really liked the commentary and refs were good but the last foul call, BS.

Agree that last foul that took Spain to the line was BS.
The Puerto Rican girl was straight up.
On the other hand, at least they didn't call a foul on the 3 just before that where the Spanish girl fell on her landing as if both of her legs had suddenly broken mid jumpshot.

Serbia up by 6, China just not yet at the level of the power house euro teams. Australian ref not blowing the pee out of it like he does in nbl.

Serbia by six.

Serbia doing it easy, like a lot of euro teams they have a naturalised US point guard. China just lack finesse of euro teams, lack of international competition.

Good for Aus if both China and PR get beaten badly.

China beaten by 22. Serbia do all the little things right starting with box outs against Chinese giants.
Serbia v Spain should be a beauty in a few days.

Serbia 2-0 +25
Spain 2-0 +2
PR 0-2 -4
China 0-2 -23

Serbia vs Spain- both qualified
PR vs China - hopefully China win in a tight game.

SSD-USA

USA will defend much better this time around, and it will be difficult for SSD to get good looks.

I think a very good result for SSD will be anything under 20 points.


Tatum will play this game as SSD have good wings......and Kerr would *never* hear the end of it if he gave him 2 DNP's in a row. haha

Australia defeats Germany in 3x3.

On a scale from 1 to 10 how boring is 3x3 basketball?

Okay, I'll go first.

11.

Yeah, I agree, it's very boring—like watching kids play in the park! There's a massive push worldwide for 3x3 basketball because it caters to people with short attention spans and social media scrollers, similar to how 20/20 cricket revolutionised the sport. It'll be interesting to see its future, but right now, it's just boring to watch!

I enjoy the frenetic energy of 3x3- it seems so tense!
I wonder how much better to watch it would be if it had the same caliber of players as regular basketball (e.g. and NBA player 3x3 comp during all-star weekend).

Great to play, not as great to watch.
In small doses like this I'm ok with it.

German by 5 end first quarter. Entertaining, Sabally sister out with concussion protocol.

Another entertaining ladies game, Germany by six.

Now seven, this is close, either side can win this. Refs are good, helps when coaches are not berating them continuously. Nbl make it happen. Buford would not survive a minute.

Who would have thought, the favourites to win gold + silver and the current world no2 and no3 may not make it further than the 1/4s or even qualify.

Sorry, silver + bronze....

Germany has now beat Tokyo silver medal and euro champions, good effort. I probably shouldn't be surprised but I’m impressed with the women’s game.

I watched the women's 3x3 aus against Canada, was absolutely horrible to watch. Was like watching a bunch of domestic players.

Gangurrus 17 USA 15

Brazil by 11 over Japan, not lot D being played.

44-55 Brazil at the half tells you all you need to know.

We don't want a blow out, we want a close game between the two.

I assume Japan's (and Lakers') Rui Hachimura must have been banned a game for being ejected in their previous one?

It certainly looks like he's been band. I can see Brazil winning by 20. They certainly call the unsportsmanlike foul totally different to the nbl.

Both are 0-2

Japan -24
Brazil -25

A big win for either puts them too close to aus if we lose vs Greece.

3/4 time
Brazil edge Japan 77-73.

Maybe not 20 then.

A 1 point win would be great...

3x3 women- Mansfield not playing!
And they were looking very good for a medal too.

Brazil put on the points late unfortunately.

FT
Brazil beat Japan 102-84

1-2 Brazil -7
0-3 Japan -42

18 points to Brazil. Japanese guards over dribble. Number 9 from Brazil is 41 years old. Very good player.

Greece kicking arse at present, Giannis unstoppable.

German offence getting crushed by Greek D. I'm seeing upset hear, Greeks by 10 at 1/4

Greece showing what they showed in the first half against the Boomers.

Cracking game. You still on the boat snake pit.

Sailing out of Shanghai at this minute. Spent the afternoon having lots of banter with a Serbian crew member who works on the flowrider surf simulator.

Apart from obviously the USA world basketball is super deep and competitive.

Germany just keeps grinding.

Sailing out of Shanghai at this minute. Spent the afternoon having lots of banter with a Serbian crew member who works on the flowrider surf simulator.

Apart from obviously the USA world basketball is super deep and competitive.

Germany just keeps grinding.

Enjoy snake pit man. World basketball is in magnificent shape at present so enjoyable.

36 each at 1/2. Fantastic game. Again a quality glue guy, Bongs comes on changes the shape of the game, long defenders that can do a bit every thing are team builders. Germany got a few on fouls so Greece still very much in this. Wagner is also fantastic. Giannis and Clathes also going very well.

Walkup playing for Greece is there nationalised player, elite scorer, Australia took a defender instead of fighting toget Cotton naturalised.

Germans by 7 at 3/4 time. Cracking game and not over

Greece's offense is painful to watch.

Germany just too disciplined. Solid as fk and never go away.

Schroder a great international player.

I really enjoy NBA superstars being shown to be not all that when confronted by real basketball rules and refereeing.

It's not like the NBA where you give them the ball and just get out of the way.

Very good performance by Greece, Germans just so even across the floor. Excellent game.

Spent the afternoon having lots of banter with a Serbian crew member who works on the flowrider surf simulator.

Belgium-Spain is one hell of a contest so far! This is high-level basketball.

Belgium by 11, cracking game, Gustafson for Spain is unbelievable. Both sides just play beautiful team basketball. Refs have been great.

Fan of Belgium, not a fan of American mercenaries playing for countries they have no ties to.
Go Cats!

Not a fan of clicking fingers an all of a sudden you have a player from another country.
Eg German pg.

Sami had to wait 4 years to get citizenship and be eligible.


Think it's going go be a USA vs Belgium final. Nicely done without allemand.
Aus vs (France or Germany) for bronze?

Belgium by 18, 1/4 to go. Belgium shooting the lights out.

Belgium are my new favourite team. What a blend of smart, selfless team play and individual brilliance. I can see why they were talked up pre-tourney.

Vanloo throwing daggers out there and I'm loving it

European basketball is so beautiful, skill full, tough, coaches coach and don't yell at refs constantly, just great. Refs play there part as well by not blowing the pee out it.

How was the class of Spain to give up possession after the Massey twisted ankle travel.

European basketball is so beautiful, skill full, tough, coaches coach and don't yell at refs constantly, just great. Refs play there part as well by not blowing the pee out it.

Spain will be good again in 4 years.

It was very classy, true sportsmanship.

Spain got Fam and Okeke frontcourt coming through and a plethora of savy hard working guards, they'll be fine going forward

Belgiums time is now 2024-2028. Meeseman, Allemand*, vanloo, Linskens etc.
the youth teams aren’t doing so well.

R they gonna actually defend johannes?

Not basketball-related but Australia are collecting gold medals like it's going out of fashion right now. Three in a 45 minute span.

Yep, skateboarding, sailing and cycling track.

Maybe womens pole vault...

Nigeria no contest for the USA.

France close to knockin off Germany, 10 pts up with 5mins to go.

France get it done 73-69.
Night and day between what they looked like pre Olympic warmup games compared to current now.

8 mins away from possibly the upset result of the games ?

Serbia up 5pts with 7 mins to go.

Big scare for the US, bodes well for the opals....Just sayin

Dam, u.s clutch down the stretch from the big 3.

USA vs France at home final

Perthworld

Love this. I'm curious what he thought about the Boomers, assuming he was knowledgeable on basketball.


We have had a few conversations since including one after the Serbs lost their semi. Very knowledgeable and passionate about basketball and he was visibly upset after they came so close to winning against the USA.

He was very impressed by the Boomers and Opals and how well Australia in general do in basketball. Also talked about Exum playing in Serbia for Partizan.

Love to hear it. Thanks fstos.

Serbia v Germany for the bronze is the last World Cup final. US got better, Canada slipped and France exceeded all expectations.
While Spain has slipped I do believe that there local league, France and Germany local leagues keep them always performing well, probably all stronger than nbl, imo.

Serbia getting the calls early, they also play magnificent team basketball, Serbia by nine. 30-21. Good game, Jokic is a genius in every way, from talent to be able to control everything.

Like the women's team, the Serbs have snipers. Very effective

Sniper rifles vs Rayguns so far, but it is still early days

It's got into scragging type game, both sides struggling with physicality. Wagner can’t hit the side of a barn. Serbia by eight but got control. I’m not certain if it’s the players making it difficult but worst game I’ve seen refereed in the tournament.

Serbia lucky they haven't been penalised enough for all their crap until now.

A good team but ... they might have struggled to get to the semifinals if refs had been more on the ball

Agree hoopie.

Germans getting sucked in as well. Schroder can play but he hogs it to much.

Jokic magnificent player but gets away with lot travels and moving screens. Jokic already on triple double.

Serbia by 10, they just know how and when to foul, they grab so much that refs stop calling it. Germany didn't deserve to win, played dumb and missed to many easy baskets, let Serbians get in their heads.
Just think the boomers should have beaten Serbia, now let that sink in.

It would be a brave ref who blew against Serbia, even if it was according to the rules and the spirit of the game - they might find any future opportunities becoming rather limited.

USA defeat France to win the gold.
Serbia win bronze, beating the Germans.

also bring USA within 1 gold of china on the gold tally...


Opals for the bronze at 7.30 tonight.

Some Steph magic on the big stage to win the gold. I was going for France, but that was incredible to watch.

What does the next French Olympic team look like? They will lose a few stalwarts. Sarr and Rissacher come in

LBJ tournament mvp, double-double machine with the odd triple thrown it. First team, Schroder, Curry, James, Jokic, Victor W. Can't really argue about any of that.

It's good to see euro crowds allowed to enjoy themselves at the game. Flags, drums etc, all band in Australia, at kings game you can’t even take in a hand bag.

U.S gonna lose it over China topping the medal tally?
They are 2 gold behind. The tally in usa has gone back to total medals, not golds won.

U.s. needs gold from valente womens Kieran and u.s basketball after losing volleyball.

Valente wins which means if us women's bball wins, they top the medal tally in the final event of the Olympics.

The US send by far the largest team, NZ are the over achievers, population of just over 5 million. Been a fantastic games, totally enjoyable, women gold and time to get some sleep. Again well Paris, France and Opals.

Yep, well done to the kiwis and the Dutch.

I thought the French might get a few home calls but at present the US seems to be getting them.

Low scoring brutal game, French foul count enormous. US by six at 1/4.

Cheryl Reeve is an absolute first class coach. You'd never know it from these first 14 minutes. Sometimes players just make bad decisions. USA making a lot atm.

Frances shooting been woeful.

Boy would the u.s media go nuts if they lose this game and the Olympics.

U.S coasting through the tournament to this point does not help them.
Almost HT and just 23 a piece.

Mate there's some famous people in the stadium tonight. Absolutely amazing atmosphere.

25-25...

25 each, Le blue really playing hard, France no free throws to 14 for US. Both sides fouling a lot, refs guessing which ones to call. As previous, amazing atmosphere.

watching world championships, Olympics etc - you can guarantee - home team with home crowd are 10-20 points better - and once they get a run on - who knows.

Feel bad for the u.s if they lose, the hate on them would last a 1/4 of a century by u.s pundits.

France has the belief at present

But but Caitlin Clark...
The u.s women lost us the Olympics…
Women don't deserve to be paid…
They should be put in jail…
Blah blah blah.

France lucky not to get an open court foul called against them there - USA had a wide open lay up

What the hell are you on about?

*Weedy Slug

Plum is having none of this losing business

At least it's competitive.

Japan with some more golds to overtake Australia.

love the atmosphere - what capacity stadium ?

Weedy is on about the vibe of the past 5 months or so of basketball in the US

Luuuc would agree with me, the team would be treated very badly with a loss.

100%

USA help defence seems very average - French help defence smothers anyway keyway penetration forcing a hard shot.

what a foul fest - refs need to keep on top of it

Refs favouring US here.

France unlucky not a get 3 shooting fouls last few minutes

Ionescu probably should have been on earlier.

you know the heat is on when Ionescu misses an open lay up

Ugly game which means France are still in it.

Foul cont and free massively favour US. States by two.

Odd game where you want to see the u.s beaten but also women's bball continue its momentum with a u.s win.

what a wrestle - neither team backing down

Very tight with 3 to go.

Inside the last 4 minutes and we're still tied up
This is some effort by France

Opals can study what to do to challenge better

one of the most absorbing games of women's basketball I've ever watched

It's been cracking if you like it physical and I do.

If you don't like it physical then this whole women's tournament would have been a nightmare because from game 1 the physicality has been almost off the charts.

french shot selection in last few minutes has cost them - USa defence ++

This level of physicality is what it should be, last Olympics was the opposite.

Heave for the tie?

Wowowowowow

OMG

the best

Dam, foot on the line.

we have homework to do

Homework + athleticism + keeping all your players home preparing together

USA are safe and finish on top of the medal tally.

China denied.

34 free throws to 13, the game done there. Magnificent game, feel for France, thought they might have deserved it. US got two points bouncing in off the top back board. Congratulations to both teams but as they say, winners are grinders.

Both women and men's tournaments have been sensational.:::)

US got two points bouncing in off the top back board.

No doubt it's in but as I said, very lucky.

Congratulations to both teams but as they say, winners are grinders.

China has lot smaller team than US. As previously NZ, Netherlands, Japan done real good.

Yep, thanks
Luuuc.

The host nation beating USA in a basketball final didn't happen today but will in Brisbane 2032.

We wish.

I think this tournament demonstrates the crowd effect

The US men needed 4 threes from Curry in the final 3 minutes to put France away

And the closest anyone got to US women at any major tournament since....the 2006 world cup?

Both silver medalists were France with a raucous crowd behind them.

Of course, unfortunately this doesnt bode well for LA 2028, when you'd expect the crowd to energise US mens and womens towards even more dominance than normal.

Hopefully we use it to our advantage in Brisbane 2032. Sydney 2000 ended disappointingly for the Boomers.