Will Greece or Spain intentionally lose tomorrow?

[NorCal]

Unless I am wrong, if both Greece and Spain win tomorrow they will play each other in the first knockout round with the winner probably playing the United States in the quarterfinals.

Thus the question, will either of these teams intentionally lose tomorrow?

Spain vs. Canada
Greece vs. Russia

[parso]

Greece may be but Spain can't afford another loss in my opinion.

[pohani komarac]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejjor_ab3Ec:D

[granger]

Thus the question, will either of these teams intentionally lose tomorrow?

Spain vs. Canada
Greece vs. Russia
spain and greece are quite better then canada and russia... so it be very suspicious, if spain or greece lose tomorrow.

[T.W.Is.M.]

Τhe question is not whether Spain will lose intentionally, but whether France will lose intentionally. After all, Spain can't determine its position only by its own result and probably they don't care about avoiding Greece in the round of 16, but USA in the quarter-finals.

[Kalashnikov]

I don't know if Spain can lose to Canada even if they do their best to do so!

I also can't see Greece losing tomorrow. After the mediocre performances so far, Greece has a lot to prove...

Also for Greece, if they really want to accomplish something great, then at some point they would need to stand against USA or Spain. So what if we reach the semis and then lose to USA and then lose to Spain in the 3rd place match and rank up 4th?
Being 4th is something we've seen too many times already in Greece. Let's try our best against the best and if we lose...too bad, better luck next time.

[Adon]

I don't know if Spain can lose to Canada even if they do their best to do so!

I also can't see Greece losing tomorrow. After the mediocre performances so far, Greece has a lot to prove...

Also for Greece, if they really want to accomplish something great, then at some point they would need to stand against USA or Spain. So what if we reach the semis and then lose to USA and then lose to Spain in the 3rd place match and rank up 4th?
Being 4th is something we've seen too many times already in Greece. Let's try our best against the best and if we lose...too bad, better luck next time.

Agree 100%,we are the minority though:cool:

[Gonzaka]

The problem for Spain is what TWIsM says. Spain plays first and won't know the result of France-NZ.

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

Aren't Spain and Greece aspiring to win the title??
That doesn't compute with losing games on purpose like a pussy to avoid teams

If you want to become a champ you shouldn't be afraid of anyone, am I wrong?

[guilherme.rcf]

Aren't Spain and Greece aspiring to win the title??
That doesn't compute with losing games on purpose like a pussy to avoid teams

If you want to become a champ you shouldn't be afraid of anyone, am I wrong?

Do you believe that Turkey made it to the semi finals of the football world cup of 2002 because they got an easy draw or because they were not afraid of anybody?

[Adon]

Aren't Spain and Greece aspiring to win the title??
That doesn't compute with losing games on purpose like a pussy to avoid teams

If you want to become a champ you shouldn't be afraid of anyone, am I wrong?

I suppose that thoughts about avoiding Spain and USA NEVER crossed your mind.You fought for 1st place just for fun:rolleyes:

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

Do you believe that Turkey made it to the semi finals of the football world cup of 2002 because they got an easy draw or because they were not afraid of anybody?

Turkey wasn't a favourite for that tournament and didn't lose to anybody on purpose to face easier opponents.


I suppose that thoughts about avoiding Spain and USA NEVER crossed your mind.You fought for 1st place just for fun:rolleyes:

There's a difference in winning to avoid them and losing to avoid them.

Again.. If you're aspiring to WIN this tournament your mentality should be not to fear anybody

[chrisfiss]

I think we should play for the win. However even before the games started I had the opinion that it will be tough to beat the russians even if we had beaten Turkey. After all they beat us last year too. Having said that, i believe that russia will not give it's 100% so we will probably end up winning.
The problem is that it is very difficult for any team to beat Spain and USA consecutively.It will require a lot of effort to finally beat the spanish team and then one will need equal strength to beat the states. Last time we needed to do that was back in 2006 and everyone remembers what happened.
Bottom-line: play for the win. if we lose to spain it will be bad as we'll not even be in the top8 but we'll go down proud. Plus it will make some people really happy in this forum;)

[chrisfiss]

The problem for Spain is what TWIsM says. Spain plays first and won't know the result of France-NZ.

Spain is obliged to play for the win. If they lose then there is a high probability for france to play hands down and get Spain elliminated! sweet revenge for last year!:P

[toxmarius]

Well if you win against Russia and then loose to Spain (France) or USA, you could proudly say that you lost to one of the strongest teams in the tournament (tough luck with the groups, that's all it is). Now if you intentionally loose to Russia and loose on the knock-out, you would be nothing more then a mediocre team.

[Adon]

Well if you win against Russia and then loose to Spain (France) or USA, you could proudly say that you lost to one of the strongest teams in the tournament (tough luck, that's all it is). Now if you intentionally loose to Russia and loose on the knock-out, you would be nothing more then a mediocre team.

Exactly!!!

[toxmarius]

Spain is obliged to play for the win. If they lose then there is a high probability for france to play hands down and get Spain elliminated! sweet revenge for last year!:P

At this point there is no chance for Spain to be eliminated. The four qualifying teams are Lithuania, France, Spain and NZE, regardless of tomorrows games. The question is what will be the order.

[keratexas]

New Zeland will beat France by 6..In that case i think Spain will finish 2nd, New Zeland 3rd and France 4th..So we must beat the Russians:p..

[chrisfiss]

At this point there is no chance for Spain to be eliminated. The four qualifying teams are Lithuania, France, Spain and NZE, regardless of tomorrows games. The question is what will be the order.

yes, my bad...worst case scenario ending 4th playing against turkey

[Franz]

Personally, I don't see either team losing on intentions. If Greece loses, it will be because they played poorly. Spain, on the other hand, can't afford another loss as it would look bad for their players and federation....a sign that they are avoiding USA until final.

If Greece or Spain wants to be champions, then one ought to act like a champion and win their games, no matter what road it takes.

[buzz]

Aren't Spain and Greece aspiring to win the title??
That doesn't compute with losing games on purpose like a pussy to avoid teams

If you want to become a champ you shouldn't be afraid of anyone, am I wrong?

we have two golds already speak for yourselves

[toxmarius]

There is just no way that Spain will throw the game. They have a shot at 2nd place, which is even better then the first one (avoiding USA till the finals).. If this scenario comes through, Spain will come out with the best position in the group and a good chance to grab a gold once again. Despite of the two losses Spain might actually be a winner of the first round.

[Tap]

Helloooo!!!Everybody here wonders if Greece is gonna lose the game tmr...i say it once more..Russia wants to lose the game as well!!!!Where does that lead????
LOW SCORE RECORD tmr...Mark my words!

[GustavoGanso]

I think Brazil can. The Brazilian fans want a match against Argentina! Magnano know the Argentines how anybody on the planet. :D:p;)

[prtzn]

I think Brazil can. The Brazilian fans want a match against Argentina! Magnano know the Argentines how anybody on the planet. :D:p;)

Well, I hope that Brazil will be forced to win in order to get their match against Argentina ;)

[Victorious]

Aren't Spain and Greece aspiring to win the title??
That doesn't compute with losing games on purpose like a pussy to avoid teams

If you want to become a champ you shouldn't be afraid of anyone, am I wrong?

The way I see it. It's tactics! In battle sometimes you have to retreat in order to come back stronger. In chess sometimes you have to make sacrifices to put yourself in a better position.

Spain and Greece obviously need to build some momentum to reach full capacity. In order to do that, they have to win some games. The best way to do that is against 'theoretically' weaker opponents. Not against the USA. If they reach the medal zone, that means that pressure is somewhat off and the engine is running. Then they can play the USA.

There is ofcourse a good chance that they might not beat the 'theoretically' weaker opponent in the first place. Well then they surely wouldn't have beaten the USA.

Moreover, losing the game on purpose means that the players can relax for a while and concentrate on the K.O. stages.

Anyway, Spain has the luxury to choose, while Greece most certainly can't since the Russians will surely want to loose as well.

[UMUT_FB_LAL]

we have two golds already speak for yourselves


What does that have to do with this?
On the bright side I'm not disappointed, didn't expect something smart to come from you

[toxmarius]

I'm sorry, but i can't see Spain loosing.. no way, they have a good shot at good position.. And they should be angry as hell now

[GustavoGanso]

Well, I hope that Brazil will be forced to win in order to get their match against Argentina ;)

yeah... absolutely... finish with one more victory is better... tomorrow I will be Serbian too! :D

[Justin in AZ]

Greece would be very smart to lose. What good does it do to win, only to end up in USA's quarter bracket, with possible knockout match against Spain???

Lose, and end up in easier bracket. No brainer!

Of course, Russia sees exactly the same scenario...

Final score, 2-0??? Someone accidentally makes a basket?

But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....

Greece is more likely lay down. Russians fear no one!!

[Adon]

Greece would be very smart to lose. What good does it do to win, only to end up in USA's quarter bracket, with possible knockout match against Spain???

Lose, and end up in easier bracket. No brainer!

Of course, Russia sees exactly the same scenario...

Final score, 2-0??? Someone accidentally makes a basket?

But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....

Greece is more likely lay down. Russians fear no one!!

There is no difference between ethnicity,culture and racial discriminations.Such generalizations as the above,are racism.:mad:
What is your excuse?
Ignorance or stupidity?:p

[Sykes]

Spain HAS NEVER PLAY THAT WAY
Despite the tons of post at this forum, accusating our sport players of "cheaters" and "floppers", every time our men plays in every sport, play the best they can, many times our performance finished against us
¿Do you remember Athens 2004?, we played like angels on first stage winning 5 of 5 and we knew in 1/4 there will be an USA team who was on its worst version and everybody knew they had to show their really potential at any moment.
Instead of losing any game, we were for all and...you know the end of the story:cool:

So 3 things:

1 - Spain will go for the game, from the beggining, and if they can win +40 will be better than +10, players are so disappointing with all it is happening that can´t afford another loss, NO WAY

2-Greece and Russia will know the result before start their match, but it is not important, because in my opinion greek basketball are "light years" ahead of russian (I don´t want to offend any russian), so if they play the best they can it will be very difficult to see that happening, I bet on Greece

3- And the most important, even if the above is not acomplished, NEW ZEALAND, can make, by defeating France, blow this thead :D

[Kalashnikov]

But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....

Greece is more likely lay down. Russians fear no one!!

Oh dear....you must be one of these hillibillies that believe that Europe is a country. Exactly how much do you know of Greece to reach this conclusion??????

You'd better apologise for this and next time think 3 times before posting anything that has to do with the Greek nation.

[Frosties]

I think we are talking about the wrong teams... On the paper nobody wants to dance with Greece and / or Spain.... What will Russia do is the question as far as I see it. And I guess they will go for the win as much as Greece will. Besides, if Spain wins the standing won't be known until the last game is over (NZL - FRA) so loosing to avoid Spain is a "Russian rullet"... from 2nd to 4th.

[Frosties]

Oh dear....you must be one of these hillibillies that believe that Europe is a country. Exactly how much do you know of Greece to reach this conclusion??????

You'd better apologise for this and next time think 3 times before posting anything that has to do with the Greek nation.

I get his point. They have nothing to loose. Greece and Spain do. And a lot.

(And I am European :cool:)

[Adon]

I get his point. They have nothing to loose. Greece and Spain do. And a lot.

(And I am European :cool:)

"But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....
Greece is more likely lay down. " implies that Russians "have nothing to loose" :confused::confused::confused:
I don't think so:D

[Deschain]

Do you believe that Turkey made it to the semi finals of the football world cup of 2002 because they got an easy draw or because they were not afraid of anybody?


the worst that would you expect from a WC(football), should be playing against brazil two times(and i remember Turkey caused some problems to Brazil in both matches)

on topic : Well, i don't think anyone should do this. Firstly, its a loss of prestige. Both teams are not known so well in terms of whining to the reffs etc. , and this will make it go a step further. Both teams can't cope with that.

[Frosties]

"But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....
Greece is more likely lay down. " implies that Russians "have nothing to loose" :confused::confused::confused:
I don't think so:D

Forget that bit. Put it this way: Greeks are more reflexive, proven by the fact they inveted philosophy whilst Russian most known invention is the assault riffle AK 47: you do not need to think much with a Kalashnjikov in your hands.
:D

[Kalashnikov]

Forget that bit. Put it this way: Greeks are more reflexive, proven by the fact they inveted philosophy whilst Russian most known invention is the assault riffle AK 47: you do not need to think much with a Kalashnjikov in your hands.
:D

Of course there are thoughts on tactics. Otherwise we wouldn't have this thread.
BUT when the talk goes to nations, as our american friend stupidly said, then things change.

This previous post should be deleted as racist/offensive/diminishing the quality of this forum, first and foremost by the guy himself.
Otherwise, this conversation can really get out of hands when someone replies with examples of the remarkable "bravery" of the americans....

[Adon]

Forget that bit. Put it this way: Greeks are more reflexive, proven by the fact they inveted philosophy whilst Russian most known invention is the assault riffle AK 47: you do not need to think much with a Kalashnjikov in your hands.
:D

:D:D:D I'm impressed! If the diplomats around the world were as skillful as you are, earth would be a better and more peaceful place!:D

Anyway I didn't protest because of "patriotic" sentiments. I'm sure that you didn't like his unfortunate expression any more than I did.

[Fedfan]

I really hope Greece loses.Davai Russia.
And if Blatt doesn't play us zone defence during the game it's the clearest sign they want to lose as well.

As for all these supposeddly gallant post of many of you..
What a bunch of hypocrites you are.Of course you want spain greece and usa to face each other and only one of them get a medal-that means all the rest for the field.:rolleyes: :rolleyes:
So spare me your tearjerking speeches about nobility and sport ethics.:rolleyes:

And for the rest naives:This is professional sports it's not about knights,princess and roses.So wake up and smell the coffee.:cool:



"But.... Knowing the personalities of the two nations....
Greece is more likely lay down. " implies that Russians "have nothing to loose" :confused::confused::confused:
I don't think so:D

yes this was an insult.
Says that according to the PERSONALITY of greeks we are to lay down.
But who cares what one american say in a public forum anyway?It's not like we don't insult them all the time aswell calling them dumb and idiots-when most of them certainly aren't.

[Adon]

I really hope Greece loses.Davai Russia.
And if Blatt doesn't play us zone defence during the game it's the clearest sign they want to lose as well.

Absolutely.




And for the rest naives:This is professional sports it's not about knights,princess and roses.So wake up and smell the coffee.:cool:

Are you gaining any money out of those professional sports? No,you're just a spectator and you can choose what you like to watch and what can make you feel humiliated or not.
You know that I like you but you have the tendency to disrespect opinions that differ from your own,although I understand (again!) your point of view.

Imo the worst and most humiliating scenario is this:
We loose intentionally the game with Russia and after that we loose again (unintentionally) the next game.

[g.g]

Basketball is the game of opportunity and there is no better opportunity for Greece to face Spain. The boost of such win is strong enough to lift this team high enough to look USA straight in their eyes.

[Fedfan]

Absolutely.



Are you gaining any money out of those professional sports? No,you're just a spectator and you can choose what you like to watch and what can make you feel humiliated or not.
You know that I like you but you have the tendency to disrespect opinions that differ from your own,although I understand (again!) your point of view.

Imo the worst and most humiliating scenario is this:
We loose intentionally the game with Russia and after that we loose again (unintentionally) the next game.

lol it's not that I don't respect your opinion you can have it all you want-it's just that I say my opinion about your opinion.;) well not yours esp but all the crap I've been reading these previous days in sport sites and forums about how like modern suicidal knights we should ignore our future and fight to win for the shake of dignity and humanity and all the good in the world!!!

It's not the worst and humiliating imo because we can very well end up losing against france.They seem to be pretty strong while we have dissapointed with our perfomances and plus the atmosphere in our team seems to be very tense.But if there's let's say 40% chance to beat France then it means it's 10% chance to beat Spain and then after such an exchausting match to face usa too??less than 2% our chances and we will be dead tired ready to lose to anyone-taking advantage of our hard work and they getting the medal.
It's suicidal to win today and I hope they realise it.Even if we end up losing anyway.We have to give ourselves the best chance we can for a medal.

[kyosphere]

If greece and spain face eachother in the next round, I'm going to wear my olympiakos jersey and wave a huge greek flag in the arena, I promise...I really want them to face eachother for the sake of my tickets... If this game happens, and tv shows an idiot who is dressed in red-white stripes, singing "den stamato na tragoudo pote", be sure that that'd be me...

p.s. I really didn't even think about these two teams getting out of our bracket in the first place:P

[christodoulou76]

Of course there are thoughts on tactics. Otherwise we wouldn't have this thread.
BUT when the talk goes to nations, as our american friend stupidly said, then things change.

This previous post should be deleted as racist/offensive/diminishing the quality of this forum, first and foremost by the guy himself.
Otherwise, this conversation can really get out of hands when someone replies with examples of the remarkable "bravery" of the americans....

I agree that bigoted comments against nationalities, ethnicities, races, genders and sexual orientations should be deleted by the administrators!

[Adon]

...
It's suicidal to win today and I hope they realise it.Even if we end up losing anyway.We have to give ourselves the best chance we can for a medal.

"Whatever is not illegal,is ethical":D
Oh,I forgot! Ethic principals have nothing to do with professional sports:rolleyes:

PS :flopping,whining,"public relations" with the refs,"understandings" between teams,etc are all part of the game.The part I don't like in my naivety.

[Captain CAAAVEMAAAAANNN!!]

LOL, Spain will NEVER lose a game on purpose. What do you think they are? Greeks?

[Adon]

LOL, Spain will NEVER lose a game on purpose. What do you think they are? Greeks?

Oh shut up! Furthermore,you smell like a dead donkey:eek:

http://unclestinky.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/caveman.png

[Fedfan]

"Whatever is not illegal,is ethical":D
Oh,I forgot! Ethic principals have nothing to do with professional sports:rolleyes:

PS :flopping,whining,"public relations" with the refs,"understandings" between teams,etc are all part of the game.The part I don't like in my naivety.

oh it;s def not the same as bribing refs the same as pashing with red light is not the same as murder.

you cannot like it all u want,hope don't watch professional sports then-no olympics for you,since it has almost nothing to do with ethic principals.

and yes my personal ethic principals are not mortally wounded and my dignity is not murdered by the National team acting smart and not going full power for the win.It's sad to see in the world of today people like you (in general) so easily ethically offended.And it's not sad for me,it's sad for you-coz I wonder how you can survive it.

[Srle]

Greeks are prone to lose on purpose they proved it last year while Spaniards are not really like that .

[Srle]

I think we are talking about the wrong teams... On the paper nobody wants to dance with Greece and / or Spain.... What will Russia do is the question as far as I see it. And I guess they will go for the win as much as Greece will. Besides, if Spain wins the standing won't be known until the last game is over (NZL - FRA) so loosing to avoid Spain is a "Russian rullet"... from 2nd to 4th.

Serbia wants both teams so bad for different reasons:cool:

[Adon]

oh it;s def not the same as bribing refs the same as pashing with red light is not the same as murder.

you cannot like it all u want,hope don't watch professional sports then-no olympics for you,since it has almost nothing to do with ethic principals.

and yes my personal ethic principals are not mortally wounded and my dignity is not murdered by the National team acting smart and not going full power for the win.It's sad to see in the world of today people like you (in general) so easily ethically offended.And it's not sad for me,it's sad for you-coz I wonder how you can survive it.

Did I say anything about bribes? I don't think so:rolleyes:
I wasn't referring esp to you,but to the general idea "the cause justifies the means" so hold your horses:D

I'm sorry you feel sad to see in the world of today people like me :p (Here you became impolite-minus 1 point for you) I cannot tell you HOW I can survive the world of today.It's my secret and I'll have to kill you if you could find it out:D

[Billy Bounce]

Greeks are prone to lose on purpose they proved it last year while Spaniards are not really like that .

So Spain losing to Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey during group stage of Eurobasket2009 and then crushing any opponent by 30 in play-offs ( in some miraculous way :rolleyes: ), doesn't raise your suspicion ? :p

[Fedfan]

Did I say anything about bribes? I don't think so:rolleyes:
I wasn't referring esp to you,but to the general idea "the cause justifies the means" so hold your horses:D

I'm sorry you feel sad to see in the world of today people like me :p (Here you became impolite-minus 1 point for you) I cannot tell you HOW I can survive the world of today.It's my secret and I'll have to kill you if you could find it out:D

that was what you meant "public relations" with refs and understanding between teams wasn't it?Fixed matches?:confused:

I'm sorry if I was impolite that wasn't my intention (and I fail to understand how I was impolite? ) I'm just expressing my sadness and condolences for people who are so easily offended in today's world.And YES I would very much like you to tell me your secret how you manage this because it's something admirable.

[CG]

if they are decent they wont
if they are smart they will

as far as i know the decent died in the end while the smart became rich..

[Sykes]

So Spain losing to Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey during group stage of Eurobasket2009 and then crushing any opponent by 30 in play-offs ( in some miraculous way :rolleyes: ), doesn't raise your suspicion ? :p

Slovenia??????
You are wrong, we never lost to them in Eurobasket 2009, although it was really close to that, thanks to the "referee stagefright", because they allow to send the match into an OT in last second, after a CLEAR TRAVELLING of Lorbek, at least 4 steps way back:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dStI34Vhh-o

[CG]

Serbia wants both teams so bad for different reasons:cool:

as always you have big mouth
and you know in the end what is happening..


Greeks are prone to lose on purpose they proved it last year while Spaniards are not really like that .

DeColo hit the shot 1sec before the game ended last year.
Now how in the earth Greece wanted intensionally to lose its in your little brain the answer.
i hope next year you will grow up

[Adon]

that was what you meant "public relations" with refs and understanding between teams wasn't it?Fixed matches?:confused:

Fixed matches? Something like loosing on purpose?:rolleyes:


I'm sorry if I was impolite that wasn't my intention (and I fail to understand how I was impolite? )

Pitty!


I'm just expressing my sadness and condolences for people who are so easily offended in today's world.And YES I would very much like you to tell me your secret how you manage this because it's something admirable.

I 'm as easily offended as a dead donkey.Just arguing for the shake of discussion. About my secret the only think I can tell you (and leave you alive:D) is 1 word:
Delightfully:D

[Billy Bounce]

Slovenia??????
You are wrong, we never lost to them in Eurobasket 2009, although it was really close to that, thanks to the "referee stagefright", because they allow to send the match into an OT in last second, after a CLEAR TRAVELLING of Lorbek, at least 4 steps way back:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dStI34Vhh-o

My bad. Anyway it doesn't change the fact that Spain played rather crappy in group stages & frightfully good @ Eurobasket2009 KO games.

[chrisfiss]

whoever lose today everybody will say he lost on purpose, even if it is in the 3rd OT...

[Gyroscope]

It's ridiculous, to say the least, to lose a game in purpose in order to avoid Spain or the USA in order to play with France or Lithuania or Argentina, or flaming Madagascar - if any Madagascan bball friends (yes, all 3 of you) read this, my apologies

- We are talking about the same Spain that lost to France, right?
- And we are talking about the very same team that lost to Lithuania, right?
- And we're talking about the same Argentina that hasn't been defeated by Greece since 1990 or something, and had a 4-0 until today, and was 1st in 2004, and 3rd in 2008, and 4th in 2006, and 2nd in 2002, right?

Right...

A team playing for any result other than victory is a disgrace to the sport

[prtzn]

whoever lose today everybody will say he lost on purpose, even if it is in the 3rd OT...Especially if it's 3rd overtime, when Greece vs Russia game is concerned.
That would mean that nobody wanted to take the win.

In Adon vs Fedfan, I support Adon. Except for the part about the insult, where Fedfan meant sad out of sympathy, because this world is gonna be cruel etc...
(Adon later explained that he's not posting because of Weltschmerz)

Personally, I would like Greece, Spain and USA to be in the same 1/4 of the draw. But, I would never like my team to lose on purpose. That may bring temporary gain, but I think that it would bring more bad than good in the bigger picture.

Trying to win tournaments isn't to only axiom of competitive Basketball.
Trying to win games should be an axiom as well!

[chrisfiss]

It's ridiculous, to say the least, to lose a game in purpose in order to avoid Spain or the USA in order to play with France or Lithuania or Argentina, or flaming Madagascar - if any Madagascan bball friends (yes, all 3 of you) read this, my apologies

exactly, avoiding spain and playing with Angola makes sense although i disagree with losing on purpose. but spain-usa VS france/lithuania-argentina/serbia i believe it's difficult to say which group is more difficult...

[chrisfiss]

some people say about france losing to NZ on purpose...how would france benefit from this? avoiding usa in the semis?

[g.g]

I want a big win and performance today with energy and fast bb to be proud :cool:

[Gyroscope]

I want a big win and performance today with energy and fast bb to be proud :cool:

Exactly. If the Russians want to lose in purpose, let's thrash them. We did it couple of weeks ago, when they didn't want to lose in purpose, we can do it again. No mercy, I say :D

EDIT:
I remembered something. It was a Real-Panathinaikos (I think) match in Madrid, and - I don't remember the details, it was a bit before the final-4 of mid-1990s - in the last timeout, someone suggested that Panathinaikos should drop the match (so that it would get a certain opponent later on, or something like that). I think Kioumourtzoglou was coach. And I think, it surfaced later, it was Yannakis who said "we can beat Real Madrid right here and right now, in their own home. Let's do it"

Same thing now. If you have the chance to win one of the greatest (historically) bball teams, then do it, I say

[g.g]

Exactly. If the Russians want to lose in purpose, let's thrash them. We did it couple of weeks ago, when they didn't want to lose in purpose, we can do it again. No mercy, I say :DWell said...NO FLIPPING MERCY :D

[Adon]

Exactly. If the Russians want to lose in purpose, let's thrash them. We did it couple of weeks ago, when they didn't want to lose in purpose, we can do it again. No mercy, I say :D

hear,hear...

[Gyroscope]

Not to mention this:

Scenario A)
You have just lost a game on purpose and you're about to meet Lithuania/France and then Argentina. Your morale is low (a defeat is always a defeat, and there's undeniable ethical considerations as well)

Scenario B)
You have just thrashed (or, at the very least, won with comparative ease) one of the greatest (at least historically) teams in world bball. You meet your nemesis (and later on the best team in the world, which you have defeated last time) - this nemesis is not only lacking 2 of her most important players, it has not convinced anyone with her performance either. Your morale couldn't be higher.

Which one would you pick? :D

EDIT:
on purpose, on :cool:

[g.g]

USA is trying to lose to Tunisia to avoid Greece/Spain :D

[Adon]

USA is trying to lose to Tunisia to avoid Greece/Spain :D

:D I knew it! Chicken shit Americans :D

[Hepcat]

spain and greece are quite better then canada and russia... so it be very suspicious, if spain or greece lose tomorrow.

I see no evidence yet in this tournament that Greece is quite a bit better than Russia. Having played exactly the same teams, Greece is 3-1 and has outscored its opponents 334-297. Russia is also 3-1 and has outscored its opponents 292-277. But the difference in the point differential has come about because Greece beat Ivory Coast by 37 points while Russia beat the team by only 6. I mean so what?

It's today's game between the two clubs that will determine which is better.

;)

[Freaknick]

Losing games intentionally might be the dumbest thing in sports. It's flat-out admission that you fear another team. It stabs the spirit of competition in the heart.

I asked Kevin Love about it and he's not a fan either. Also asked him about facing Greece, what it means to be a 'FIBA' style player, and if his shaved beard made him more aerodynamic:

Kevin Love talks about Greece. And his beard. But mainly his beard. (http://euroleagueadventures.com/kevin-love-talks-about-greece-and-his-beard-but-mainly-his-beard/)

[Dreamcatcher]

The jokiest game by far...