GimmeDat wrote:burek3 wrote:It is official, he will NOT play for NT in the qualifiers @28.6. and 1.7.
Troubles me to say it, but expected, logical and smart move.
Do you think it'll be the difference between you winning or losing your qualifiers? Who are you playing?
The situation is like this:
28 June:
SLOVENIA - SPAIN
MONTENEGRO - BELARUS
1 July:
SLOVENIA - MONTENEGRO
SPAIN - BELARUS
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Standings (Games W L Diff Pts):
SPAIN 4 4 0 +35 8
SLOVENIA 4 2 2 +16 6
BELARUS 4 1 3 -38 5
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MONTENEGRO 4 1 3 -13 5
We are missing Dragic, Doncic, Anthony Randolph.
It will definitely be a very tough one especially after FIBA changed/reinterpreted rules in the middle of the first round phase saying that all teams carry on scores with all other teams to phase 2.
Previously, scores with the 2 teams (1 from each group, see also below) that do not advance (below dotted line) to phase 2 were supposed to be omitted.
This means the loss against Belarus might just be the first nail in our coffin. (God, I hate these death related phrases used in sports, but It'll do

)
Spain is strong favorite against SLO, but it's around 50-50 vs. Montenegro.
3 teams advance into phase 2, where they cross (2 games against each team) with the group of:
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UKRAINE 4 3 1 +26 7
TURKEY 4 2 2 +9 6
LATVIA 4 2 2 -1 6
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SWEDEN 4 1 3 -27 5And out of phase2, only 3 NTs advance to the actual WC. Spain is obviously pretty much already qualified. Ukraine had a streak due to Turkey and Latvia not employing their best players. In this window, Euroleague players will be able to play, so it's safe to say that Turkey and Latvia will
probably get away with 2-0, as they both play vs. Ukraine and Sweden.
So, in any case, Slovenia is pretty much **** in phase2 if we don't pull off a magical 2-0 in these 2 games.
And we could use Doncic. A LOT.