If you take the power index of the four early teams in EuroBasket, Israel's fourth team is probably the most comfortable.
Take a look, for example, at Group B with: France, Germany, Lithuania and Slovenia, and you will realize that in terms of the lottery Israel is on the winning side, but in order to realize that you also have to play basketball.
The predictions for the house are clear, and if there is a deviation from them it will be a surprise, Serbia should finish at the head of the house.
The Czech Republic, Finland and Israel will compete for places 2-4.
Poland and the Netherlands will finish last, and should leave the tournament at the end of the first stage.
Serbia
The main players:
Nikola Jokic, Vasilija Micic, Nikola Kalinic, Nemanija Nadovic, Marko Godoric, Vladimir Lucic
Advantages:
What can be said about a team with a mega star like Nikola Jokic in the center position, and with the best player in the Euroleague in the last two years - Vasilija Micic in the center position.
The two are just the starters for a squad full of talent and experience that will fight for the title.
In addition, the team from the Balkans has an experienced coach like Svetislav Psic, who has already won everything, and is considered a great defensive coach.
Jokic.
Not alone, photo: AP
Disadvantages:
There is no depth in the center position, after coach Psic's dramatic relinquishment of an icon like Milos Teodosic, Micic's only replacement is Onjin Yarmaz and the coach's decision will be examined throughout the championship with a magnifying glass.
Another point is that the Serbs have not lived up to the high expectations in recent major tournaments.
Coach:
Svetislav Pasich (third championship, won the title the previous two times).
Position in the previous championship:
2
Czech Republic
The main players:
Jan Wesley, Tomasz Saturnski, Patrick Auda, Jaromir Bohcik, Vit Krejci
Advantages:
First and foremost, domesticity in the early stage.
A cohesive group of players, who have been running together for several years and know each other very well.
A team that knows how to excel at big events such as the World Championship and promotion to the Olympic tournament, and the Israeli coach - Nano Ginzburg, who always knows how to get the best out of this team and has many years of experience with it.
Cons:
Saturnski's injury.
The point guard who returned this season from six years in the NBA and will play in Barcelona is on the roster, but he has been sidelined for two weeks due to injury.
There is no certainty that he will be able to play, and if so, how much and when, the degree of his competence could change the championship for better or worse.
Coach:
Nano Ginsburg (third championship)
Position in the previous championship:
20
Saturnsky.
A lot depends on his health, photo: FIBA
Finland
Key players:
Lauri Markkanen, Sasu Salin, Petri Koponen, Elias Valtonen
Pros:
Coming in a great mood after being part of the first European team to advance to the World Championships that will be held next summer.
It has a superstar like Lauri Markkanen, a central NBA player for six years who can carry a team on his back.
Next to him is a player at a high European level like Saso Salin, and some experienced players that are important in such a tournament.
Markkanen.
How far will he be able to carry the team?, Photo: FIBA
Disadvantages:
Average attack group.
She has a big dependence on the big star Markkanen, and also on Saleen.
In a game where even one of them doesn't show up, she'll be in trouble.
In addition, the position of the coordinator is really not her strong point.
Position in the previous championship:
11
Coach:
Lassie Tobi (first championship as head coach, was the assistant coach in 3 championships).
Poland
Key players:
AJ Slaughter, Mateusz Punitka, Alexander Barchalkowski, Michael Sokolowski, Jakub Garavage.
Advantages:
a rather gray team, which did not advance in the World Championship qualifiers, but it has a number of good points.
I know Israel well because of the many meetings.
Very experienced with a seventh championship in a row.
If Slaughter manages to both center and score (also worth 7 three-pointers in the game) she will be competitive.
Disadvantages:
A steep drop in the team's level since it finished eighth in the 2019 World Championship. The main reason: a turnover problem and a lack of talented players to fill the place of the veterans who are no longer in the team.
In addition, an opportunity for significant reinforcement was missed when Jeremy Suchan (9th in the last draft) decided to give up the championship.
Position in the previous championship:
18
Coach:
Igor Milicic (first championship).
Punitka.
The big star, photo: FIBA
Netherlands
Main actors:
Yannick Franka, Worthy de Jong, Jito Kok, Kay van der Vorst.
Pros:
She doesn't have much.
A very physical team that keeps well.
Quite a few experienced players, the leader among them is Yannick Franka who has returned from injury and will be in the championship.
Van der Vorst in the center position, he is a great talent.
No expectations - means no pressure.
Buscaglia.
Familiar faces on the lines, photo: Barney Ardov
Disadvantages:
Only second championship in the last 30 years.
The team with the least talent at home, without a single player who plays at the highest levels of the continent.
A problematic offensive game, this is a team that celebrates if it passes 70 points.
Position in the previous championship:
did not participate
Coach:
Maurizio Buscaglia (first championship).
Coached at the beginning of last season at Hapoel Holon, Guy Goodes replaced him.
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