Group C, Day 1, Greece vs China

[g.g]

First day in any tournament is always risky, are we going to see the first upset or Greece would simply be too good for China?

[Linktothepast]

Traditionally we beat them and i don't think we can play any worse after our last friendly. They are a good team though, and a defeat will hurt our progress badly. I expect to see our players determined to win it. 80% - 20% a Greek victory vs a Chinese victory.

[g.g]

Traditionally we beat them and i don't think we can play any worse after our last friendly. They are a good team though, and a defeat will hurt our progress badly. I expect to see our players determined to win it. 80% - 20% a Greek victory vs a Chinese victory.

I agree, my only concern is by having Sofo out what if Bourousis injury does not allow him to play the first game! Without the big boys the game may not be as easy as many believe.

[Dtown]

China isn't what they were without Yao, I can't see this being especially close unless the Greeks completely overlook them. Greeks by 10-20 pts.

[Franz]

I don't know much about the China NT except for Jianlian who is a decent player.

The game I'm more worried about for the Greeks is the one against Puerto Rico. Without Sofo and Bourousis, I could see Greece struggling against Ramos and Santiago. Puerto Rico also got quick, creative point guards in Arroyo and Barea who could give problems to Greece.

[g.g]

I don't know much about the China NT except for Jianlian who is a decent player.

The game I'm more worried about for the Greeks is the one against Puerto Rico. Without Sofo and Bourousis, I could see Greece struggling against Ramos and Santiago. Puerto Rico also got quick, creative point guards in Arroyo and Barea who could give problems to Greece.

Is very possible that the bans for the Greek players would drop to one day as FIBA offered the appeal option

[Visseira]

China could give some problems to Greece if Yi was their go to guy on offense. I saw China on Stankovic Cup and their game is based on 3pt shots. Even without Big Sofo and Bourousis, Greece will win.

[Levenspiel]

I cannot even imagine how this can be a close game. Greece by 20+.

[Fedfan]

In the game against USA I didn't worry at all..but if this gets close then I will.I will SERIOUSLY start worrying.

Bourousis probably won't play.

[all_about]

Without Sofoklis other players must step up for Greece.

I think Greece gonna win this one.

[melizei]

Greece wins by +20

[asdzas]

Greece wins + 20. If China starts hitting those crazy consecutive 3 pointers like sometimes they do, greece wins +10

[sinobball]

China doesn't have what it takes to win against Greece (minus 2 players). Traditionally against Greece, bringing the basketball past mid-court was already too difficult. China should capitalize on fast breaks and 3's to stay close, but most likely it'll be a blowout before halftime. Anyway Greece was never on China's "try to win" list with or without the suspensions.

[rocketstar47]

China is incomplete this WC so I Think Greece has the biggest chance to win

[eliooo93]

Greece by 25

[saalsapr]

Basically China has to take advantage of the suspensions Fiba gave the greeks, and Bourouris who is not 100%, and strike them in the paint, trying to get the remaining big men Greece has in foul trouble.

Wang and Yi have got to play to their size and rebound the ball, also China has got to put their best defenders on Diamantidis and Spanioulis.

Greece on the other hand, should need of Tsartsaris to shoot the ball alot in case the guards are getting covered. Also, Greece needs to shoot the ball well from outside. On defense they have to go for the steal every chance they get, as China is not a good ball handling team.

[sinobball]

I can't believe you even tried to analyze this game. Wang Zhizhi and Yi won't even get the ball against the Greece, and neither is a good rebounder (Yi can grab some offensive rebounds but needs a big center to block out for him; plus he'll shoot a lot of jumpers). China's coach Donewald is not stupid, he won't show all of his tactics until against your team (where China has a better chance) This game is one of the practice sessions. Expect all 12 Chinese players to step on the floor.

[dxjayrock2008]

Hellas/Greece by 30 points.

[gazara]

Greece by 20 + ,simply China nothing without Yao ,that s the truth

[arturcia]

without big sofo, fotss and maybe bourousis it will be difficult win easily. but I think Kazlauskas will find ways to win this 75 - 65