MACDUB1
Years ago

Emus vs. Greece(spoliers)

Emus have had a terrible game. A repeat of Serbia 2007 is in the process, with Australia down 80-62 with 2:34 left to play in the 4th. Very Sad. Have been watching the game on Sky Sport 3. Australia's defensive pressure was intense, but not smart. They tried to double too often and left the Greek bigmen open right under the hoop.
The USA vs Australia final won't be happening. This is the 2nd time in 2 world champs that the Emus have underperformed.
It is a HUGE SHAME that a team like Australia can go 7-1 and not make the final..Similar in 2007, where the Emu's went 8-1 and came 5th!

Topic #20437 | Report this topic

trust me
Years ago

AIS needs to do more homeworks. Greece was never that good but mental toughness was there.

Reply #243067 | Report this post

MACDUB1
Years ago

My theory is that we go too hard too early. Look at the Emus tournament. They had been on fire from Game 1, whereas Greece had made the Quarters with a 4-2 record compared with the Emus record of 6-0.
The commentators raised a good point by saying that most European teams seem to improve as the tournament gets on, meaning they are fresh and ready to go come cruch time.
Looking at the result of 2007 and the result of this tournament, we seem to burn out/struggle immensly when the big game comes..Do we not rotate the subs enough/use fresh legs during pool play?? Look at the big win against Kazahstan:
-Dellavedova played only 16 mins, Motum only 14, Ellis only 17.
Then look at the game against Syria:
-Dellavedova played 15 mins, Motum just 18 mins, Ellis only 15 mins.
The three best players didn't play many minutes in big blowout wins..they were used sparingly, therefore I DON'T THINK IT'S PHYSICAL FATIGUE.
HAS TO BE MENTAL..HAS TO BE

Reply #243068 | Report this post

HO
Years ago

MACDUB1

Greece came into this tournament as favourite. Europe won the last championship and their champion was expected to do it here. They are big and have some outstanding players. They have adjusted throughout the tournament to what appears to have been an injury to Sarikopulos.

The Emus may not have played well against them and it would have been nice to see them go further but there is no disgrace in losing to this team.

Top four in this tournament is not now, or ever "underperforming".

Reply #243090 | Report this post

paul
Years ago

Spot on - HO.

This is nowhere near the most talented team we have sent to the WC's, but they have still finished top 4 - an awesome result.

Realistically, the top four have been a step above the next tier of teams here. Greece's 4-2 record was a loss to the USA and to a Lithuanian team who caught fire that day.

The Emus had a shocker against Greece. Their defensive rotations just werent there early, far too concerned about the three point shooters.

Greece's physical strength did not allow them to get back into the game after that.

But on another night they could well have beaten Greece. Hopefully they can beat an extremely good Croatian team and claim bronze.

Reply #243098 | Report this post

trust me
Years ago

times that you have to drive the ball straight to the hoops and Australia failed to do it many times because they don't have much of "go to guys" when needed most. Defense is Offense but it's the BASKET that counts.

Also, it takes PRIDE to reach goal and win tough games. Australia should make pride of their basketball having won significant international games and remind themselves that they are good as anybody at the top.

Reply #243154 | Report this post

Hoops

Emus vs. Greece(spoliers)

Recent Posts