Toughest Group F test awaits against Brazil
FIBA WORLD CUP - GROUP F (MATCHDAY 2)
AGONAsport previews the headline Group F clash at the 2019 FIBA World Cup between Brazil and Greece.
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This will be toughest test for Greece in Group F. Although the Greeks are still hot favourites to claim the win, an experienced Brazilian team will offer stiff opposition, and the opponents made the perfect start to the competition against New Zealand on Sunday.
A blow-out third quarter - which Brazil won 28-12 - proved decisive in the match with New Zealand. Leandro Barbosa, Rafa Luz, Alex Garcia and Marquinhos Souza all reached double figures, with the former picking up 22 points. Barbosa, 36, previously played in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors.
In qualifying for the World Cup, Brazil managed to find consistency, finishing the campaign with a 9-3 record. The nation won the competition in both 1959 and 1963.
Greece, one of the main favourites for the title in China, made a solid start with a 25-point triumph over Montenegro in their maiden game of the tournament. In the first half, the Episimi Agapimeni gave a defensive masterclass, not allowing Montenegro to score more than nine points in either of the opening two quarters. Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Most Valuable Player of the 2018/2019 NBA season, tallied 10 points on the night. Olympiacos veteran Giorgos Printezis was the top scorer with 16 points to his name.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Anderson Varejao was Brazil’s best player in the qualifying process, averaging 11.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game to guide Brazil to their 18th consecutive World Cup. Varejao, formerly on the books of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, is currently playing his basketball with Flamengo in his homeland.
In the victory against Montenegro, Giorgos Papagiannis tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and one assist, a personal record with the national team. The giant Panathinaikos center is finding his feet at the top level and will be eager to continue in the same vein.
QUOTES
Thanasis Skourtopoulos: “They have plenty of players who can score a lot of points. The aim for us is to control the tempo and not allow Brazil to score easy baskets. Brazil will attempt more shots than Montenegro. We do have the advantage of having very tall players who can block shots.”
Thanasis Antetokounmpo: “Brazil have a very strong team, so we have to be careful. This is the World Cup, we are competing against the best players in the world. We must do our job. You have to play each game with a serious mentality.”
