Mission… Possible for Greece at FIBA World Cup
Facing a win-or-go home clash with New Zealand, Greece’s path to the gold medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup remains intact despite a shock defeat to Brazil.
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Thanasis Skourtopoulos’ men still have it all to do against New Zealand in their final Group F clash, with only a win giving the Ethniki a spot in the second round alongside Brazil, the United States, and either Turkey or the Czech Republic.
While Greece and New Zealand will battle for a spot in the second round, Brazil will face Montenegro with the goal of finishing the first group stage with a perfect record. Meanwhile, Group E play will conclude with the United States facing Japan in search of a third-straight win while Turkey will take on the Czech Republic in a winner-take-all showdown.
Group F Standings
(through two matchdays)
Brazil 2-0
Greece 1-1
New Zealand 1-1
Montenegro 0-2
Group E Standings
(through two matchdays)
United States 2-0
Turkey 1-1
Czech Republic 1-1
Japan 0-2
SECOND ROUND OUTLOOK
Unlike previous years, the second round of the 2019 FIBA World Cup will feature a second group stage with teams facing the two sides from the other group in the crossover.
With Brazil expected to beat Montenegro and the United States likely to cruise past Japan on Thursday, should Greece progress to the second round then the Ethniki will take with them a 2-1 record from the first round. Should Thursday’s results go as planned then the newly-formed Group K will begin with the United States and Brazil in pole position with Greece, and the winner of Thursday’s clash between Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Group K
(assuming Thursday’s results favour USA, BRA, GRE)
United States 3-0
Brazil 3-0
Greece 2-1
Turkey/Czech Republic 2-1
7 September
United States – Greece
Brazil – Turkey/Czech Republic
9 September
United States – Brazil
Turkey/Czech Republic – Greece
While the Group K playing field won’t be fully known until the end of matchday three on Thursday, there are already a few scenarios that Greece will need to avoid in order to ensure they are one of two sides to progress from Group K and into the knockout rounds. It must be said that the United States’ defeat of Turkey on Tuesday benefited Greece greatly following the loss to Brazil, though the United States did reportedly lose the service of Jayson Tatum during that win.
Since Brazil now own the direct tiebreaker with Greece, the Ethniki will need to avoid a direct tie with Brazil in the standings for second place in the group as that would mean the South Americans would be the ones to advance at the expense of the Ethniki.
While two wins for Greece in the second round will clinch a spot in the knockout rounds for Skourtopoulos’ men (except in scenario four below where point differential will play a role), anything short of that feat could seriously complicate the Ethniki’s chances of advancing. At an initial look, if Greece fail to defeat the USA then the Ethniki will need Brazil to lose both to the USA and to Turkey/Czech Republic to force a three-way tie (scenario 9 below). If Brazil record one win and Greece record one win in Group K, then the Ethniki will bow out of the competition in the second round.
SCENARIO 1
2 wins for Greece; 2 wins for Brazil
Brazil 5-0
Greece 4-1
USA 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 2-3
SCENARIO 2
2 wins for Greece; 2 losses for Brazil
Greece 4-1
USA 4-1
Turkey/Czech Republic 3-2
Brazil 3-2
SCENARIO 3
2 wins for Greece; Brazil beat USA but lose to Turkey/Czech Republic
Brazil 4-1
Greece 4-1
USA 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 3-2
SCENARIO 4
2 wins for Greece; Brazil lose to USA but beats Turkey/Czech Republic
Greece 4-1
USA 4-1
Brazil 4-1
Turkey/Czech Republic 2-3
*Point differential will break tie between Greece, USA, and Brazil.
SCENARIO 5
Greece beat USA, but lose to Turkey/Czech Republic; 2 wins for Brazil
Brazil 5-0
Greece 3-2
USA 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 3-2
*Point differential will break tie between Greece, USA, and Czech Republic/Turkey.
SCENARIO 6
Greece lose to USA, but beat Turkey/Czech Republic; 2 wins for Brazil
Brazil 5-0
USA 4-1
Greece 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 2-3
SCENARIO 7
Greece beat USA, but lose to Turkey/Czech Republic; Brazil beat USA, but lose to Turkey/Czech Republic
Turkey/Czech Republic 4-1
Brazil 4-1
Greece 3-2
USA 3-2
SCENARIO 8
Greece lose to USA, but beat Turkey/Czech Republic; Brazil lose to USA, but beat Turkey/Czech Republic
USA 5-0
Brazil 4-1
Greece 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 2-3
SCENARIO 9
Greece lose to USA, but beat Turkey/Czech Republic; 2 losses for Brazil
USA 5-0
Brazil 3-2
Greece 3-2
Turkey/Czech Republic 3-2
*Point differential will break tie between Brazil, Greece, and Turkey/Czech Republic.
