Greece must defeat Czechs by 12 points to advance
After suffering their second defeat at the FIBA World Cup, Greece must defeat the Czech Republic by 12 points to advance to the quarter-finals. AGONAsport takes a closer look at the group standings and scenarios heading into the final matchday of Group K.
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Despite conceding a heavy defeat to the reigning world champions, Greece are still in the hunt for a berth in the knockout rounds. The United States have booked their place to the quarter-finals with a perfect 5-0 record while Greece, Brazil, and the Czech Republic will fight for second place in Group K and the last ticket to the final-8.
The current group standings are as follows:
USA (5-0)
Czech Republic (4-1)
Brazil (4-1)
Greece (3-2)
Tie Breaker Criteria
Head-to-head record between tied teams
Point difference in games among tied teams
Points for (i.e scored) in games among tied teams
Point difference in all group games
Points for (i.e scored) in all group games
Despite sitting in last place heading into the final round of group games, Greece are still in the hunt to qualify for the knockout rounds. However, only a win by 12 points or more over the Czech Republic AND a USA win over Brazil will send Greece through.
In the above scenario, Greece, Brazil, and the Czech Republic will be in a three-way tie for second with a 3-2 record. The first tie-breaker criteria, head-to-head record between tied teams, will also be tied as each team will have a record of one win and one loss.
The second tie-breaker is “Point difference in games among tied teams.” Greece lost to Brazil by one point (79:78), thus their point differential among tied teams is currently at -1. The Czech Republic defeated Brazil on Saturday 93-71 and currently have a point differential among tied teams at +22. Brazil’s point differential among tied teams is locked in at -21 (+1 from Greece game and -22 from Czech Republic game).
Thus, for Greece to surpass the Czech Republic in the second tiebreaker of “Point difference in games among tied teams,” the Ethniki will need to defeat the Czechs by 12 points to increase their point differential among tied teams to +11 and sending the Czechs down to +10
For Brazil to have any hopes of qualifying, they will need to defeat the United States. If they do, Greece will have no chance of qualifying no matter the result against the Czech Republic. If Brazil and the Czech Republic win, the Czechs will advance due to better head-to-head record.
Greece and the Czech Republic will meet on Monday morning at 11:30 GR time and the USA and Brazil will face off later on the same day at 15:30 GR.
