The beginning of the second phase and immediately the key matches - Mundobasket in full glory, although without many big stars, will be watched from Friday in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
In group I, which was formed by the merger of groups A and B, there is an immediate "knockout" match in Manila - Serbia against Italy (10 a.m.). Perhaps, admittedly, not so crucial for the chosen ones of Svetislav Pešić, who in case of defeat would have another chance against the Dominican Republic, but for the boys of Djanmark Pocek - it is definitely decisive.
The "Azuri" from Group A "passed on" the defeat" from the Dominicans, and only the triumph over the team they eliminated in the round of XNUMX of last year's Eurobasket leaves them in the race for a place in the quarterfinals.
"We know them well, but they also know us. We are better than them, because they have been playing in all competitions for three years with a practically unchanged composition. A cohesive team, they know each other very well, they haven't changed anything in the way they play. Our situation is different, we are a new team. Their advantage is exceptional harmony, and our great desire, motivation. It just wouldn't be good if that motivation and great desire didn't come back like a boomerang. We mustn't get too fired up", said Svetislav Pešić.
In the last match against Serbia, in Berlin last year, Poceko "provoked" the expulsion - since then the Italians have played like reborn and created a sensation. Poceko tried to do the same five days ago against the Dominican Republic, but his team's game went downhill... What has he prepared now? Yesterday, in preparation for the match, the Italian coach asked for original advice - he played a game of chess in Manila with the most famous Filipino, boxing icon Manu Pacquiao.
In the same group, the Dominican Republic plays Puerto Rico, and key matches are played in groups J and K. Whoever wins the match between Lithuania and Greece (14.40:14.10 p.m.), also in Manila, will be close to the quarterfinals, and the same applies to the match between Slovenia and Australia ( XNUMX) in Okinawa, Japan.
Spain - Latvia and Canada - Brazil are playing in Group L, and the first-mentioned teams are big favorites. With victories, they would practically secure the quarter-finals.
Bonus video:
