Eurobasket 2007 Review

[spanishman]

with almost all Eurobasket´s list of teams published, here my comments and my new ranking:

Level: 0-10

15.- PORTUGAL.................. 5
The Star......... JOAO GOMES
Key Players...... SERGIO RAMOS, MINHAVA, ÉVORA, ANDRADE and JORDAO.
Prediction........ 13-16 th

14.- POLAND..................... 6
The Star......... MACIEJ LAMPE
Key Players...... ANDRZEJ PLUTA, GORTAT, IGNERSKI and SZEWCZYK.
Prediction........ 13-16 th

13.- CZECH REPUBLIC.......... 6
The Star......... JIRI WELSCH
Key Players...... BARTON and STAROSTA.
Prediction......... 13-16 th

12.- LATVIA....................... 6
The Star......... ANDRIS BIEDRINS
Key Players...... KRISTAPS VALTERS and JANICENOKS.
Prediction........ 9-12 th

11.- SLOVENIA.................... 7
The Star......... SANI BECIROVIC
Key Players...... LAKOVIC, NESTEROVIC and SMODIS.
Prediction........ 4-11 th

10.- CROATIA........................ 7
The Star......... GORDAN GIRICEK
Key Players..... PRKACIN, PLANINIC, KUS, MARKO POPOVIC and TOMAS.
Prediction....... 3-12 th

9.- RUSSIA............................ 8
The Star......... ANDREI KIRILENKO
Key Players...... HOLDEN, KHRYAPA, MONYA and SAVRASENKO.
Prediction........ 3-11 th

8.- GERMANY......................... 8
The Star......... DIRK NOWITZKI
Key Players..... ADEMOLA OKULAJA, GREENE, FEMERLING and GARRIS.
Prediction....... 2-8 th

7.- TURKEY............................ 8
The Star......... MEHMET OKUR
Key Players..... HEDO TURKOGLU, ILYASOVA, GONLUM, KUTLUAY and AKYOL.
Prediction....... 2-8 th

6.- SERBIA............................ 8
The Star......... MILAN GUROVIC
Key Players..... DARKO MILICIC, JARIC, PAVLOVIC and RASIC.
Prediction....... 2-6 th

5.- FRANCE............................. 8
The Star......... TONY PARKER
Key Players..... DIAWARA, DIAW, FLORENT PIETRUS, TURIAF and WEIS.
Prediction........ 2-6 th

4.- ITALY................................ 8
The Star......... ANDREA BARGNANI
Key Players..... BELINELLI, GALANDA, MARCONATO, BULLERI and BASILE.
Prediction........ 1-5 th

3.- LITHUANIA........................... 9
The Star......... SARUNAS JASIKEVICIUS
Key Players..... LINAS KLEIZA, SONGAILA, SISKAUSKAS and LAVRINOVIC.
Prediction........ 1-4 th

2.- GREECE............................... 10
The Star........ THEODOROS PAPALOUKAS
Key Players.... SCHORTSIANITIS, DIAMANTIDIS, FOTSIS and PAPADOPOULOS.
Prediction....... 1-4 th

1.- SPAIN.................................. 10
The Star......... PAU GASOL
Key Players..... NAVARRO, GARBAJOSA, CALDERÓN, R. FERNÁNDEZ and REYES.
Prediction........ 1-3 th

[damelo]

Well, I don't see France behind Italy... And I think Serbia is not prud enough to go high.

[turkishpower]

not a bad list although I don't think Italy with young players like Bargnani-Bellinelli can make it too high. Not at least this tournament, maybe in the future.

My ranking:

1) Spain
2) Greece
3) Turkey
4) France
5) Lithuania
6) Germany
7) Serbia
8) Italy
9) Croatia
10) Russia
11) Slovenia

The rest I don't know :D
and yes that was a homer list. But still logical. Not that terrible :p

[Victorious]

Russia is underrated. In last EC they were eliminated by Greece after a hard game. I think they are better than Germany. Also Croatia might be underrated. It's so competitive, it makes it very difficult to make predictions.

[V@Roxe##13]

For me


1 Spain
They are the world champions,they have star players and they play at home,if Garbi will play the things will be even more easy for them
2 Greece
Second after Spain,a TEAM first of all with easily the best backcourt in the Euro(Papaloukas,Diamantidis,Zisis,Spanoulis),and also a loaded frontline with players like Papadopoulos,Fotsis,Tsartsaris,Kakiouzis,Sofo and Dikoudis
3 Lithuania
I think that they have enough talent to be in the quarters but i seriously doupt for more...Anyway with Saras,they will be sth different...
4 Italy
Great roster,combines young players and veterans,with an excellent coach,if they have chemistry they can even take it...
5
Turkey
I like them a lot in the worlds,the question is if Okur and Hedo will make them better... Probably they will have a problem at the 1 guard position
6
Serbia
I can't find any better for this spot,they can go even higher if they find chemistry
7 Russia
8 France
9 Croatia
10 Slovenia
11 Germany

[HIGHLANDER]

Whatever happens it is going to be awesome. I believe a few teams have a chance...:cool:

[Picek]

1) Lithuania

Kaukenas, Šiška, Saras, Lavrinovic twins, Songaila, Jasaitis, Kleiza etc. etc.
empire strikes back, I wish them all the best and I do hope they will one a gold medal.. IMO they are certainly biggest favorites to do that alongside Spain

2) Spain

playing at home and that makes them impossible to beat, but in the WC finaleveryone thought that Greece will have an easy job but without any pressure on their backs Spainplayed a perfect game... but pressure and expectations will now be huge, if Garbajosa won't play it will be a big blow..
I would say even bigger then Gasol missing the WC final..
and that will probably cost them the gold medal...

3) Greece

a team of extraordinary players but I can't see them beating Spain or Lithuania in the semi's. Diamantidis won't have Šiškauskas behind him to hide like he did in euroleague finals :D
kidding ofcourse, but anyway I don't think they will be in the final

4 - 8) France

I like them a lot, they have best european playmaker in their team. Diaw had a rather dissapointing season as a Sun so hopefully he will do something besides eating this summer (he was a fatty last year).. I like what Bergaud has done with inviting players who can actually shoot from outside.. but ofcourse it's a kind of gamble.. we will see

Turkey

Tanjević surprised me with bringing back their NBA player who refused to play for their team last year.. I think it's a step back for their team.. Okur and Turkoglu are both great players but their comeback will break team chemistry that was there last year..

Russia

with AK 47 back Blatt will have an easier job, Blatt knows how to lead this team.. they will be a tough nut to crack for everyone

Italy
a lot of young players, some of them were promoted into their team leaders last season so they will be more experienced.. they lack a big inside presence like eventhough I like Mason Rocca a lot

9. Slovenia

with a full team they would probably fight for the OG qualies.. I can't see them doing that with this team..

10.
Serbia

they will dissapoint for the fourth time in a row.. this team is below average and I won't even comment their coach and his decisions

11.

Germany

NBA MVP probably won't have to against some of his former coaches so he won't have the problems he had in the NBA playoffs this year :D
the rest of the team is a year older without any real young prospect..

12. who knows


joker: Croatia

we can end up being one of the last four teams or we can end up somewhere between 4 and 8 place even do I'm hoping for a medal but I doubt our luck will change.. I trust Repeša a lot, he is by far our best coach and he is fighter and a winner and if anyone can come up with something it's him.. I just hope they will give their best like they did in Serbia and Montenegro and that will be enough for me..
hopefully Lamonica, Davidicius and Drabikovsky won't make me cry again..

but ofcourse there is a lot of great teams and you can never know who will be a surprise or a dissapointment..

edit: just to conclude, three teams are above everyone else at the moment.. Lithuania, Spain and Greece.. at least accorindg to the names on their roster..
rest of the places are up for grabs..

[rikhardur]

15.- PORTUGAL.................. 5
The Star......... JOAO GOMES
Key Players...... SERGIO RAMOS, MINHAVA, ÉVORA, ANDRADE and JORDAO.
Prediction........ 13-16 th
It's not yet known if João Gomes will play, but if he does, then Carlos Andrade is out, since just one "foreign" player is allowed. I'd pick Gomes over Andrade. As for Sérgio Ramos, I'm not sure he'll be fit to play at the highest level and become a key player.
Portugal is indeed the worse team, if they don't get crushed it'll be positive already.

[T.W.Is.M.]

My view of the teams so far:
Level 1
Spain, Greece, Lithuania
favorites 4 the medals, top candidates 4 the gold, I don't think home court will make the difference besides Spain is strong enough 2 win the trophy in a neutral country.But prophet Michael said last year that we would beat Spain in their home...:D
Level 2
France, Italy,Germany, Russia, Turkey
France is imo the favorite 2 enter the semis again, Italy is always dangerous- they just lack in experience, Germany simply has Nowitzki, Russia has the potential but they have proven themselves as losers recently and Turkey would b higher in my estimations but the NBAers may hurt the team mentality.all of them can win a medal, if one of these teams finds its best shape can win it all
Level 3
Serbia, Slovenia
They have failed 2 display success in the last tournaments so I can't trust them.Slovenia has bigger potential but they tend 2 lose the crucial game.They can b in the quarters, it will b a surprise if they win a medal, but we have seen surprises in the past quite a few times
Level 4
Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal
Latvia may b a little stronger than the others, but if 2 of these teams advance 2 the next round it will b a big surprise.Perhaps Portugal is the weakest of all, but it's a progress that they made it 2 the final stage and that's good 4 them(Greece was also the weakest team in Euro 2004 on football, but miracles happen just once:D ).There is also another team that will come from the challenge round, I have 2 put them in level 4 too no matter who they will b
I didn't forget Croatia, I just think they r the most unpredictable team of all.If there was a level 2,5 I would put them there,They can squeeze in the 2nd level teams, but they can finish lower than level 3.If Vujcic and Zizic were there, I would consider them somewhere between Italy and Russia, now I just don't know...

[V@Roxe##13]

Italy lacks experience???

Galanda,Bulleri,Bazile,Markonato and Calabria lacks experience?? They simply have apart fron good veterans also excellent youngsters...

[Toxicity]

Italy lacks experience???

Galanda,Bulleri,Bazile,Markonato and Calabria lacks experience?? They simply have apart fron good veterans also excellent youngsters...

Calabria?!? He played just in the EC two years ago (when Belinelli wasn't ready)... now it's time of Rocca as naturalized.

You're right, we also have Soragna as experienced guy... we'll see how Recalcati play and which role assign them.

If i was the coach the starting 5 would be Bulleri-Belinelli-Gallinari-Bargnani-Marconato but i'm not sure our coach has the guts to put 3 youngsters as starters... :rolleyes:

[damelo]

My ranking:

1) Spain
2) Greece
3) France
4) Lithuania
5) Italy
6) Turkey
7) Serbia
8) Germany
9) Croatia
10) Russia
11) Slovenia

For me, the two top teams are Spain and Greece. They nearly can't loose to the others... After it's open. I put France 3rd for their defense, but Lithuania has the offense for them. Still think at this level, Defense is over Offense. After, everybody has good arguments, lets check who will use them the best way.

[flyinturk]

f4 for this tournament, i guess spain turkey greece and france. i choose serbia for the surprise cupwinner.

[Toxicity]

My ranking:

1) Spain
2) Greece
3) France
4) Lithuania
5) Italy
6) Turkey
7) Serbia
8) Germany
9) Croatia
10) Russia
11) Slovenia

For me, the two top teams are Spain and Greece. They nearly can't loose to the others... After it's open. I put France 3rd for their defense, but Lithuania has the offense for them. Still think at this level, Defense is over Offense. After, everybody has good arguments, lets check who will use them the best way.

Somewhat agree on your chart but i'd switch Lithuania and France (i'm not too impressed with your roster). And i don't think Spain and Greece (although the clear favourites) are undefeatable...

[T.W.Is.M.]

Italy lacks experience???

Galanda,Bulleri,Bazile,Markonato and Calabria lacks experience?? They simply have apart fron good veterans also excellent youngsters...

Actually I was referring 2 Bargniani, Belinelli and Mancinelli who haven't got much experience in NT tournaments.Besides I expect at least 2 of them 2 b key players.Of course Basile, Bulleri, Galanda and Marconato have the necessary experience and will help a lot.But generally I consider Italy a quite good team.

[gravity]

My ranking (generally based on World Championship)

1) Spain
2) Greece
3) Turkey (with a good PG, i can give 2nd place.)
4) Lithuania
5) Italy (good roster)
6) France
7) Russia
8) Germany (only nowitzki not enough)
9) Serbia
10) Croatia
11) Slovenia (i changed their position because of their problems)

ps. if somebody want to reply this he can use this thread http://forums.interbasket.net/showthread.php?t=4095 :p

[kololoco]

I think Picek has made an exelant observation about Spain and the last years absenss of pressure. And the only player I am sure can cope with the pressure being Garbajosa who is not cirtain to play it will be interesting to see if they underpreform like Serbia and Montenegro 2 years ago. I agree with everyone that Spain, Greece and Lithuania are the medal favourites. Group 2 consists of France and Turkey of whome the luckier will end up being fourth (the one who misses the first 3 in the quarterfinals, and group 3 of Russia, Germany, Italy and Serbia who will fight for the 6th and 7th spot for Olimpic qualifayers. Croatia and Slovenia have had too many rejections by crutial players so I can't predict how good they'll do, but they can enter the third group and fight for the Olimpics.

I think that Serbia is very underrated. The key thing about this team is that they have players with heart who are not afraid of anyone. Gurovic is a beast, Jaric has been one of the best playmakers in Europe, but in the NBA has been missused. It looks like he is pumped up on the tournament, and with him also being a player with heart he makes a very good first pg. On center we have Milicic who also underperforms in the NBA, but has shown that he can be dominant in the WC. As a back-up pg we have Teodosic who was the u20 MVP, and a player who has major talent. I think that since Djordjevic we didn't have such a talented and inteligent and calm playmaker with a killer instinct. On the pf position we have a couple of extra talented players who also playwith pedigre and don't respect anyone on the floor (Labovic, Erceg, Velickovic). The main problems of this team are back up center, and sg spot but on the sg spot atleast we have great defenders if not offensive players. So watch out. The only thing is weather Moka Slavnic will be able to make them a team.

[pablonis]

1-2) Spain

The most equal team loaded with great talents, both already established veterans and great youngsters. Absence of Garbajosa may hurt them, same as the possible pressure may hurt their chances too. Pau's gonna be the main again for them.


Lithuania

With Saras, Siskauskas and Kaukenas it's a whole other story. Now that the creativity in the backcourt is back, the frontline (which is definetly the most versatyle one) wount be missused like in the WC last year. It's definetly the team that fears no defence and the only way to win against Lith's will be outscoring them, which only a few teams are capable of. Saras and Siska will be probably the most important figures in the team, but i'd put my money on Kleiza beeing the leader stat-vise - the guy's growing into a beast that also has a soft touch from behing the arc.

3-4) France

With Parker, i put them highier than Greeks. if they'd have decent shooters, they'd definetly be the main favourites imho. but you cannot win the most important games when the only advantage of yours is that you jump highier than your oponents do. Parker should be the star.

Greece

With all respect for them, i think that they're just missing that "something" and their great defence will only pull them through loss-less till the semis. Papaloukas as the main guy.

5-6) Turkey

Great team on paper and if the team chemistry will be there, ticket to the Olympic game qualifiers should be their's. Turkoglu will lead them.

Italy

Veterans way over their prime and lots of young talents that get much more atention than they should or deserve. Still, with a coach like Recalcati, ticket to Beijing (well, atleast to the qualifiers) should be theirs. Dont really know who's gonna lead them.

7-8) Serbia

As much as passionate and devoted the young serbs are, that wount be enough for anything more than a possible place in qualifiers for Olympics. Jaric for the leaders.

Russia

Lots and lots of great and missused by their clubs talents that results in steady decline of Russia. Kirilenko of course as the main guy.

9-12) Croatia

With the missing players and let's say Spahija as head coach they would be up at the top with Lithuania and Spain, but now... Popovic will lead this heavily depleted squad.

Latvia

With Biedrins their squad gains a lot. He should also be their main guy.

Slovenia

Yesterday read about some player i've never even heard of saying that he need to rest, thus refused to play for Slovenia... An even worse situation than with Croatia, since even the coach sucks. Have no idea who's gonna lead them...

Germany

The most overrated team ever to exist. I dont believe miracle of Serbia will happen again for them.

13) Poland

Sorry neighbours, but Pluto and Szhewczik and whatever else you have there will be manhandled.

14-16) no offence meant against the rest, but they just dont matter.

[elaj]

Slovenia

Yesterday read about some player i've never even heard of saying that he need to rest, thus refused to play for Slovenia... An even worse situation than with Croatia, since even the coach sucks. Have no idea who's gonna lead them...

And who's that? :rolleyes:

[rusher]

1st Latvia...:D
ok get real

1st group: strongest rosters- Spain, Italy, Greece, Lithuania- one of these 4 should win Eurobasket
Outside top 12- Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal and that qualifier if not do some miracles
From the rest teams i would put Latvia (sorry) as 12th team, with France and Turkey able to do some damage in 1/8 finals

So:
1./4. Spain
1./4. Greece
1./4. Italy
1./4. Lithuania
2./8. Turkey
2./8. France
4./8 Slovenia
4./8 Germany
6./11. Russia
6./11. Serbia
6./11. Croatia
12. Latvia
13./16. Qualifier
13./16. Poland
13./16. Czech Republic
13./16 Portugal

I put the teams in that order i believe they'll finish the tournament. Biggest chance to win i would give to Spain, Turkey and France could well fight for a place in final, Slovenia and Germany might hold on to semi-finals but other teams i ranked from 6th to 11th, Latvia with Biedrins is better, sure he is one young talanted guy but we don't have Kambala anymore and AB haven't played by FIBA rules some years and he had never played for the NT and sure he doesn't produce as many points as Nowitzki or Gasol, his strongest is defense + we have the weakest opponent in group so it should be ok to get 12th spot and that's all.
For the rest of the teams- it really don't matter but Qualifier should be the best of the rest, then comes Poles- our neighbour till 1939, Czech Republic and Portugal as the weakest because Latvia without Biedrins, with weakened team has played against them and Portugal sure isn't the Eurobasket level team (But miracles happen, Latvia @ Euro 04, Greece @ Euro 04 :D )

[pablonis]

And who's that? :rolleyes:

A different reason, but still, if players that are far from beeing stars or anything are refusing, then it's a really bad situation (afaik club has no right to forbid to play for NT and it's just a pathetic little excuse). If fully loaded and with some other coach, they could be one of the favourites, but I, with no offence, am very sceptical about Slovenias chances with this squad.


Another new absentee in slovenian NT. Zeljko Zagorac left the NT, because his new club Lokomotiva Rostov demanded so.

After a second thought, i do remember hearing this name a few times.

[DanMajerle]

http://i10.tinypic.com/6ew52fa.jpg

Is this the guy teams are afraid of?
;) :D

[Picek]

Is this the guy teams are afraid of?
;) :D
no, but girls are :D

[Straight forward]

This guy says that favorites of Eurobasket 07 are Spain and Greece. I can't blame him, but i hope he'll be surprised :rolleyes:

[boki]

Slovenia

Yesterday read about some player i've never even heard of saying that he need to rest, thus refused to play for Slovenia... An even worse situation than with Croatia, since even the coach sucks. Have no idea who's gonna lead them...

Smodis, Lakovic and Nesterovic will be clear leaders on the court.

And I agree with the coach sucks thing. Pipan is not a coach for big clubs or NTs. He didn't prove anything yet, but Slovenia's basketball federation doesn't have money to afford some good foreign coaches.