paul
Years ago

Boomers' and Opals' Olympic Draw

Very good draw for the Boomers:

"The Australian Boomers have pooled with the world number two Spain, along with Brazil, host nation Great Britain, China and Qualifier 3."

Not a bad one for the Opals either, though a couple of testing games:

"The Jayco Opals will face Brazil, host nation Great Britain, joint world number two Russia and Qualifiers 3 and 5 in the first round of the tournament."

http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2436&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=a6730990d7

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LC
Years ago

I agree Paul - not too bad and definitely could have been worse.

One would think the Boomers could at least beat China, whilst the games against Brazil and Great Brityain could determine the Boomers chances. The qualifier could be a tough one as there are some very good teams including from Europe you could well end up in our group too.

The Opals draw is a little more difficult though, being drawn with perennial contenders Brazil and Russia, and whilst they will have two qualifiers in their group, the other side of the draw has USA, but only China so to speak and three qualifiers...

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Avv
Years ago

You'd like to think a top 2, top 3 at worst, finish in the group is possible and thus avoiding the USA in the quarters.

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russell coight
Years ago

china women will be a good game - they have much improved.

interesting - i dont think spain or belarus qualified - and they played well at the worlds

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Isaac
Years ago

2012 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament
Group A: Angola, China, USA, Qualifier 1, 2 and 4
Group B: Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, Russia, Qualifier 3 and 5

2012 Men’s Olympic Basketball Tournament
Group A: Argentina, France, Tunisia, USA, Qualifier 1 and 2
Group B: Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain, Spain and Qualifier 3

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paul
Years ago

I am not sure about top 3 at worst Avv if youre talking about the Boomers. Spain and Brazil are better teams than us, while the qualifier could well be Greece or Lithuania. Third would be a very good effort, but barring a rash of injuries there is no excuse for not making the QFs with that draw.

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LC
Years ago

^ agreed.

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Anonymous
Years ago

3rd would be very good... and its definitely possible... we have beaten brazil with a worse team then we have now.

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Anonymous
Years ago

As good as the Brazillians may be, haven't our men have managed to come out on top of them in recent years.

Top 2 or 3 of Group B should be the objective and definately attainable.

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Avv
Years ago

You'd like to think we'd beat China and Great Britain and playing well can beat Brazil. That would be 3 wins and enough for top 3-4 but probably need a win against Spain or the qualified to be assured of top 3 or higher so I think it's in the realms of possibility.

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rohant16
Years ago

The longer we avoid the US the better

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Anonymous
Years ago

I can't wait to see international basketball again. It'll be really interesting watching all the differing basketball styles of each country and how far everyone has progressed compared to the USA who are obviously still the benchmark. Just about every nation competing in the Olympics has a world class player capable of lighting up in the NBA which is a far cry from even just 10 years ago. Without Bogut, our go to guy will most likely be Patty, the only thing that doesn't make him a star is consistancy and defense but it does look like he's been working on his game since arriving in san an which is a good sign for us. What do you guys think? will there be a breakout team/player this time around? How do you think the tournament will pan out?

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KET
Years ago

Aussie basketball team in tough Games draw
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8459760

What do they expect? Australia to face no world powers?

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LC
Years ago

We have a tough draw, without first game against Brazil followed by Spain. We will need to hit the ground running!

A 1-2 record after those two games will have us in good stead. 0-2 and whilst not out of the race, we will be up against it.

Here is the Boomers schedule, UK time:

29 July: vs Brazil
31 July: vs Spain
02 Aug: vs China
04-Aug: vs Great Britain
06-Aug: vs Qualifier
08-Aug: Quarter Finals

Here is the Opals schedule:

28-Jul: vs Great Britain
01-Aug: vs Qualifier
03-Aug: vs Brazil
05-Aug: vs Russia
07-Aug: vs Qualifier
09-Aug: Quarter Finals

FIBA - London 2012 Website!

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LC
Years ago

FIBA article on Australia's "Olympic Legend" Shane Heal:

Olympic Legends: Shane Heal

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Hoops

Boomers' and Opals' Olympic Draw

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