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OLYMPICS Group A Standings:

1. Lithuania (1.000)
2. Croatia (1.000)
3. Russia (.500)
4. Argentina (.500)
5. Australia (.000)
6. Iran (.000)

Rosters:

Croatia:
Roko Ukic, Point Guard, Toronto Raptors
Marko Popovic, Point Guard, BC Žalgiris (Lithuania)
Davor Kus, Shooting Guard, Unicaja Malaga (Spain)
Zoran Planinić, Shooting Guard, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Marko Tomas, Shooting Guard, Real Madrid (Spain)
Marin Rozić, Small Forward, KK Cibona (Croatia)
Damir Markota, Small Forward, BC Žalgiris (Lithuania)
Marko Banić, Power Forward, Iurbentia Bilbao (Spain)
Krešimir Lončar, Power Forward, Lokomotiv Rostov (Russia)
Nikola Prkačin, Power Forward, KK Cibona (Croatia)
Sandro Nicević, Center, Besiktas (Turkey)
Stanko Barać, Center, TAU Ceramica (Spain)

Head Coach: Jasmin Repeša

Iran:
Amir Amini, Point Guard, Kaveh (Iran)
Javad Davari, Point Guard, Petrochimi (Iran)
Mehdi Kamrani, Point Guard, Mahram (Iran)
Saeid Davarpanah, Shooting Guard, Kaveh (Iran)
Iman Zandi, Shooting Guard, BEEM (Iran)
Hamed Afegh Eslamieh, Shooting Guard, Saba Battery (Iran)
Samad Nikkah Bahrami, Small Forward, Mahram (Iran)
Oshin Sahakian, Power Forward, Zob Ahan (Iran)
Ali Doraghi, Power Forward, Petrochimi (Iran)
Hamed Sohrabnejad, Center, Mahran (Iran)
Mousa Nabipour, Center, Kaveh (Iran)
Hamed Haddadi, Center, Saba Battery (Iran)

Head Coach: Rajko Toroman

Lithuania:
Rimantas Kaukėnas, Point Guard, Montepaschi Siena (Italy)
Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Point Guard, Panathanaikos (Greece)
Mindaugas Lukauskis, Shooting Guard, BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Ramūnas Šiškauskas, Shooting Guard, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Simas Jasaitis, Small Forward, Joventut Badalona (Spain)
Jonas Mačiulis, Small Forward, BC Žalgiris (Lithuania)
Linas Kleiza, Forward, Denver Nuggets
Darius Songalia, Power Forward, Washington Wizards
Kšyštof Lavrinovič, Power Forward, Montepaschi Siena (Italy)
Darjuš Lavrinovič, Center, UNICS Kazan (Lithuania)
Marijonas Petravičius, Center, BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Robertas Javtokas, Center, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)

Head Coach: Ramūnas Butautas

Argentina:
Pablo Prigioni, Point Guard, Tau Vitoria (Spain)
Antonio Porta, Point Guard, Spartak St. Petersburg (Russia)
Paolo Quinteros, Point Guard, Basket Zaragoza (Spain)
Manu Ginóbili, Shooting Guard, San Antonio Spurs
Carlos Delfino, Shooting Guard, Khimki (Russia)
Andres Nocioni, Small Forward, Chicago Bulls
Federico Kammerichs, Small Forward, CB Murcia (Spain)
Leonardo Gutiérrez, Power Forward, Atenas (Argentina)
Luis Scola, Power Forward, Houston Rockets
Román González, Power Forward, Peñarol (Argentina)
Fabricio Oberto, Center, San Antonio Spurs
Juan Pedro Gutiérrez, Center, CB Granada (Spain)

Head Coach: Sergio Hernández

Russia:
Jon Robert Holden, Point Guard, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Petr Samoylenko, Point Guard, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
Sergei Bykov, Guard, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
Zakhar Pashutin, Shooting Guard, Spartak St. Petersburg (Russia)
Vitaly Fridzon, Shooting Guard, Khimki (Russia)
Sergei Monia, Small Forward, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)
Viktor Keirou, Small Forward, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Andrei Kirilenko, Power Forward, Utah Jazz
Aleksey Savrasenko, Power Forward, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Nikita Morgunov, Center, Lokomotiv Rostov (Russia)
Andrey Vorontsevich, Center, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Sasha Kaun, Center, CSKA Moscow (Russia)

Head Coach: David Blatt

Australia:
Patrick Mills, Point Guard, Saint Mary's College
CJ Bruton, Point Guard, New Zealand Breakers (New Zealand)
Brad Newley, Shooting Guard, Panellinios Gymnastikos Syllogos (Greece)
Glen Saville, Shooting Guard, Wollongong Hawks (Australia)
Joe Ingles, Shooting Guard, South Dragons (Australia)
Mark Worthington, Small Forward, South Dragons (Australia)
David Barlow, Small Forward, Melbourne Tigers (Australia)
Shawn Redhage, Small Forward, Perth Wildcats (Australia)
David Anderson, Power Forward, Barcelona (Spain)
Matthew Nielson, Power Forward, BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Chris Antsey, Center, Melbourne Tigers (Australia)
Andrew Bogut, Center, Milwaukee Bucks

Head Coach: Brian Goorjian

Schedule:

2008-08-10
Russia 71-49 Iran
Lithuania 79-75 Argentina
Australia 82-97 Croatia

2008-08-12
Iran 67-99 Lithuania
Croatia 85-78 Russia
Argentina 85-68 Australia

2008-08-14
Australia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Croatia

2008-08-16
Russia vs. Australia
Croatia vs. Lithuania
Iran vs. Argentina

2008-08-18
Iran vs. Croatia
Australia vs. Lithuania
Argentina vs. Russia

This group is pretty even with Argentina at the top, Iran well behind and the rest somewhere in the middle.
I'm not convinced that Russia can repeat the performance they gave in the European Championships... I think Australia and Lithuania could probably beat them.
One thing is for sure, I think only Argentina will get past the quarters. I think whoever the other three are, Greece, Spain and the US will knock them out in the next stage.

Predictions

Russia
Argentina
Lithuania
Croatia

noido wrote:This group is pretty even with Argentina at the top, Iran well behind and the rest somewhere in the middle.
I'm not convinced that Russia can repeat the performance they gave in the European Championships... I think Australia and Lithuania could probably beat them.
One thing is for sure, I think only Argentina will get past the quarters. I think whoever the other three are, Greece, Spain and the US will knock them out in the next stage.

Agreed, except I would put Croatia ahead of Australia.

i see you have NBA players bolded. Chris Anstey used to play in the NBA, and Brad Newley was dreafted last year but has yet to be signed.

Australia will be one of the top teams in this division

^ Fixed

I say that Iran and Lithuania DON'T advance.

britblazerdude wrote:^ Fixed

I say that Iran and Lithuania DON'T advance.

i think iran and Croatia dont make it through. Lithuania will be too strong not to make it through, although they may lose a few on the way.

Some other names you might want to bold:
Damir Markota used to play for the Bucks
Stanko Barac was drafted last year and is property of the Pacers
Robertas Javtokas is owned by the Spurs and was almost brought over 2 years ago
Joe Ingles looks like a safe bet to be drafted next year
And Hamed Haddadi is certainly a guy to watch. A high profile assistant GM in the NBA told me not to be surprised if he's on an NBA roster soon...

Argentina
Russia
Lithuania
Croatia

With Australia the darkhorse to qualify for the next round.

Australia could be real tough. Bogut singlehandedly killed angola with 32 pts and 12 reb. Then when he hurt his ankle Australia played Argentina real tough. They could make some noise.
Thursday will be a good test against the US.

I think Australia will get through.
I watched them in the qualifiers and I was really impressed considering how bad they have been in the last 10 years.
I'm particularly interested in seeing Pat Mills play again to see if college ball has helped him.

Argentina seems to struggle a bit in the friendlies and bench depth might be an issue. I wouldn't rule out Russia coming on top of them and winning the group.

Argentina
Russia
Croatia
Lithuania

noido wrote:I think Australia will get through.
I watched them in the qualifiers and I was really impressed considering how bad they have been in the last 10 years.
I'm particularly interested in seeing Pat Mills play again to see if college ball has helped him.

*ahem!* Australia finished 4th at the 2000 Olympics, just barely missing out on a medal. They've been top 8 since then, so they arent THAT bad- this could be the beginning of a resurgence for them however if things go their way, you're right, but they are very top heavy.

Patty Mills is an awesome pg and future NBA player for sure. He's kinda like an Aussie Tony Parker, very similar games. I think they're really lacking in the "bigs" department though. I don't know why Martin Iti and Nathan Jawai didn't make the team, they're both 6'10 250lbs. +? David Andersen is okay, but he's a finesse type big, where both Jawai and Iti are true bangers. I hope it isn't a racist thing since they're both black and Australia is notorious for being very racist and they already have two black players. Australia only has two NBAers in their whole country, yet one was left off of the squad, makes you wonder. I hope I'm wrong.

My Predictions
2008-08-10
Russia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Argentina
Australia vs. Croatia

2008-08-12
Iran vs. Lithuania
Croatia vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Australia

2008-08-14
Australia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Croatia

2008-08-16
Russia vs. Australia
Croatia vs. Lithuania
Iran vs. Argentina

2008-08-18
Iran vs. Croatia
Australia vs. Lithuania
Argentina vs. Russia

Final Standings
1. Argentina - 5-0
2. Lithuania - 3-2
3. Russia - 3-2
4. Croatia - 2-3
5. Iran - 2-3
6. Australia - 0-5

KB20 wrote:My Predictions
2008-08-10
Russia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Argentina
Australia vs. Croatia

2008-08-12
Iran vs. Lithuania
Croatia vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Australia

2008-08-14
Australia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Croatia

2008-08-16
Russia vs. Australia
Croatia vs. Lithuania
Iran vs. Argentina

2008-08-18
Iran vs. Croatia
Australia vs. Lithuania
Argentina vs. Russia

Final Standings
1. Argentina - 5-0
2. Lithuania - 3-2
3. Russia - 3-2
4. Croatia - 2-3
5. Iran - 2-3
6. Australia - 0-5

you honestly have australia going 0-5?????

Australia is ranked above Iran, Croatia and Russia in the FIBA world rankings.
Its actually funny to see how poorly australia is respected. They are a strong team, with a good chance of taking home a medal.
Saying they wont win a game is just ridiculous

KB20 wrote:My Predictions
2008-08-10
Russia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Argentina
Australia vs. Croatia

2008-08-12
Iran vs. Lithuania
Croatia vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Australia

2008-08-14
Australia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Croatia

2008-08-16
Russia vs. Australia
Croatia vs. Lithuania
Iran vs. Argentina

2008-08-18
Iran vs. Croatia
Australia vs. Lithuania
Argentina vs. Russia

Final Standings
1. Argentina - 5-0
2. Lithuania - 3-2
3. Russia - 3-2
4. Croatia - 2-3
5. Iran - 2-3
6. Australia - 0-5

you honestly have australia going 0-5?????

Australia is ranked above Iran, Croatia and Russia in the FIBA world rankings.
Its actually funny to see how poorly australia is respected. They are a strong team, with a good chance of taking home a medal.
Saying they wont win a game is just ridiculous

Sonrise wrote:Patty Mills is an awesome pg and future NBA player for sure. He's kinda like an Aussie Tony Parker, very similar games. I think they're really lacking in the "bigs" department though. I don't know why Martin Iti and Nathan Jawai didn't make the team, they're both 6'10 250lbs. +? David Andersen is okay, but he's a finesse type big, where both Jawai and Iti are true bangers. I hope it isn't a racist thing since they're both black and Australia is notorious for being very racist and they already have two black players. Australia only has two NBAers in their whole country, yet one was left off of the squad, makes you wonder. I hope I'm wrong.

the bigs are actually Australias strength- theres a lot of depth there. Jawai missed out because he was busy with NBA summer leagues etc the entire preparation camp (and may not have been good enough yet anyway), and Iti is simply not good enough to even sniff a Boomers uniform. There are centres in the Aussie domestic league who are probably better than him. All three guys selected after Bogut- Anstey, Nielsen and Andersen have had, or are currently having, stellar careers in Europe so they are no chopped liver. Keep in mind dominant NCAA big man AJ Ogilvy, Aleks Maric, and former Georgia Tech standout Luke Schensher all did not get a look in either. It is tough to get a place on that big man roster.

Having said that, inconsistent guard play will be their downfall.

And whoever said Australia wont win a game is probably just trying to get a reaction. Either that or they have no clue.

KB20 wrote:My Predictions
2008-08-10
Russia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Argentina
Australia vs. Croatia

2008-08-12
Iran vs. Lithuania
Croatia vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Australia

2008-08-14
Australia vs. Iran
Lithuania vs. Russia
Argentina vs. Croatia

2008-08-16
Russia vs. Australia
Croatia vs. Lithuania
Iran vs. Argentina

2008-08-18
Iran vs. Croatia
Australia vs. Lithuania
Argentina vs. Russia

Final Standings
1. Argentina - 5-0
2. Lithuania - 3-2
3. Russia - 3-2
4. Croatia - 2-3
5. Iran - 2-3
6. Australia - 0-5

Cocaine is a hell of a drug.
Iran beating Lithuania and Australia...seek help, young man