Probably depends on the draw. Suspect we'd make final 8 but in danger from there.

Hard to tell if we’ve materially improved from 23/24?

And the team we sent to asians?

I am looking at the groups and draws now, and I think we comfortably make the top 16. From there on, there are some teams that are in about our level - France - Slovenia - Greece - Spain - Italy - Germany - Lithuania - Serbia - Latvia.

I think we are better than Italy, Lithuania, Latvia and Spain but theyre teams that can beat us on their night.

That leaves us with questions around Slovenia, Greece, Germany, France.

I hate to say it, but Germany and France look a step ahead.


I could see us coming anywhere from 3rd to 5th as the higher end projection or as low as 6th or 8th on the low end.

"And the team we sent to asians?"

I think that team might be lucky to make top 16. Id say 12th-17th

Good summary ME, some sides are not at full strength so our best team could get top eight but imo somewhere between eight and sixteen.

Well this is the thing, just because youre better on paper than a team doesnt mean you'll be lucky enough to beat them. And in Europe, most of the top 16 teams are good. Finland is good. Estonia is good enough. Poland is ok. I just tend to think Australia would expect to be better, thats why I would put us as high as 3rd and as low as 8th. We tend to perform better than 8th at the Olympics but there are more good teams in Europe than there are in the Olympics interestingly enough.

"I think we are better than Italy, Lithuania, Latvia and Spain but theyre teams that can beat us on their night.

That leaves us with questions around Slovenia, Greece, Germany, France."

Missed Serbia in that assessment and I have them with Germany and France as the top group right now.

Slovenia and Greece are difficult because they rely so heavily on one guy so can be up and down but we're probably in that second group and generally better than the rest you mentioned.

I think we would be capable of pulling an upset over Serbia, Germany and France to medal, but it would be an upset, so I'd have us about 4-6 with a semi final seen as a good result.

If at full form I think it is very close between Germany, Serbia, France and Australia for top 4. I think any of those could take out a win but I think the edge would go to France.

France is scary at full form and getting better. They had six in this year's draft alone. Serbia is also getting even better each year with a another Nikola added each year. Germany is well balanced and Franz is a massive growing talent.

Australia has the most depth but is missing a superstar. Someone who can create shots and lead offense. That makes us very unpredictable. If we get figured out we are not great but if all our players are striking and playing their role well we can be deadly. That's why I have us in the mix.

I do think we are a tier above Slovenia and Spain. This has been shown in recent contests also.

pattymillsMVP, easy to agree with your assessment but I question your reasoning with "Australia has the most depth but is missing a superstar.....(to the end of para)". If we still have your namesake, as our superstar we would be much easier to stop. Every team would just have to (try to) shut Patty down and we would be sunk, much weaker, at least. See Greek team as an example.

Without him, they would have to (try to) shut down 10 other, fairly-equally talented scorers/shooters (none as good as your "superstar" but together etc etc..).

My ideal solution would be to hope for a great, all-round team then add a superstar rather than start with a s/star and build around him/her. That could very well be exactly what the Boomers will do. Best of all would be that after picking that best, all-round team, a superstar will arise from there (a la McVeigh in GF for JJ's). Ahhh, dream on!

Having said all that, a Patty in your team is always handy, and if he's anywhere near his peak I'd have him in mine.

Oh, and there's injury too, of course.

Patty wont be playing another major for the Boomers, especially not if we have all of our options. I just cant see who he would outperform as of now. If we have to go to Patty still we're in big trouble.

Fair point RobT. But a lot of our players have thrived in teams as role players who are secondary to a superstar. The superstar attracts the attention and our Josh Greens, Dante Exums etc get more open looks as a result. Giddey is almost there but he is more of a distributor than a shot creator/offensive weapon. I think it is too much to ask of our Dyson Daniels, Jock Landales etc to create offense against tight Euro style D.

"If at full form I think it is very close between Germany, Serbia, France and Australia for top 4"

I'd put Turkey over us at this stage in that top 4. France have been up and down but ceiling wise could be #1.

Honestly I think 5 - 8 would be a great result for Australia in the hypothetical of us playing EuroBasket.

The style of game would not help us. Our limited strength inside would be a big weakness.

I must say this has been the best refereed tournament/league I've watched in a long time, maybe never.

Yes there is still some flaws. The challenge system is horrible but its FIBA.

The consistency game to game across all pools in 4 different countries has been unmatched by any other competition. Every team knows what to expect. No BS. Flopping has been there but very rarely rewarded. No fuss about Tech fouls for behaviour just take the shot move on. As it should be.

The commentary while corny at times has also been a massive improvement on what we get here. The only call backs to "when I played" have been specific and connected to the play at hand. No constant questioning of the referee decisions or rules. Respect for the coaches, players and the game. Top notch.

Venues/crowds have been great. Use of music during dead balls and NEVER during the play has been weird but very refreshing. The crowd are given the chance to make noise. The Court Announcers don't force decades old chants, they call the game and let the crowd take over. Amazing how much atmosphere there is compared to the NBA and NBL.

Can't wait for the top 16 and games following.

Spain got knocked out in the group stage, they played there older players for far to long and now they have no one with experience ready to play. It's a message for Australia.

Stunning fall from grace for Spain. 17th is their worst ever finish and first time since 1977 they have failed to make at least quarters. Last 7 Eurobaskets have seen 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze including gold at the last one in 2022.

Stunning fall from grace for Spain. 17th is their worst ever finish and first time since 1977 they have failed to make at least quarters. Last 7 Eurobaskets have seen 4 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze including gold at the last one in 2022.

I'm not sure but didn’t they bring in a US point guard last time, naturalised him and he got them over the line.

Yeah, Lorenzo Brown. Never even played for a Spanish club so complete joke.

Yes, thanks, that's what t thought, maybe fiba head quarters have moved as they don’t seem to be getting those favourable decisions that went there way. :::))))

Um, maybe 6th now, behind Finland as well? :p

What a game, and just shows how competitive the European teams are.

Euro nations are getting better and better, there locals leagues are starting to pay more even in the smaller countries plus they all have promotion and relegation. The best US team will still win but it's so close now as the last Olympics showed. NBA bringing in more and more foreign players as well.

France knocked out in quarters by Georgia in round of 16 overnight. Slovenia taking out Italy and now face Germany in quarters. Winner of that game should get to final but Finland might cause another upset. If you want to win these championships you have to have your best playing or you get knocked out as France found out.

Love the competitiveness of this tournament.

Theres pretty seriously a dozen great teams so yeah you gotta be on your game.

The Boomers would really jsut be one of those teams battling.

Love the competitiveness of this tournament.

Theres pretty seriously a dozen great teams so yeah you gotta be on your game.

The Boomers would really jsut be one of those teams battling.

Georgia beat France. Just goes to show how close European basketball is. As far as Olympics go it seems to me any top 8 team could medal because the world is truly getting tough.

Greece v Turkey and Finland v Germany semifinals.Slovenia put up great battle, Donic 39 points, looking super fit.

Luka is so good but just impossible to get behind the way he carries on. The two losing teams overnight were so unprofessional and ill-disciplined they both deserved to lose.

Germany v Turkey final. I would think Turkey a little surprising but they certainly have a very strong local league in top and second division.

I think boomers would do better than my original 8 to 16 prediction, possibly 5 to 8. The sides that do well though mostly got reasonably good benches and are very well coached. It helps having one or two extremely good players, Schroder, Wagner for the Germans. Certainly a great competition compared to fiba Asia. Boomers should try and play a few more games against better competition, even South American or African teams, how, I don't know though.

Turkiye have been awesome and I think have clearly elevated themselves into that elite group of teams that will be looking to medal each and every tournament for the next 5-10 years. Sengun looks to have taken another step up and could be a top 5-10 player in the world and their supporting cast is strong.

Boomers should try and play a few more games against better competition, even South American or African teams, how, I don't know though.

Great refereeing, absolute cracking game, great commentary, you don't need gas bags, just call the game. Turkey so good but as commentator said Germany just got to many weapons. To me it’s a far better game to watch than the nba, team offence, team defence and such a high skill level.

Agreed. This has been some of the best basketball I've ever seen. Every game has been a banger, a great combination of post play, 3 point shooting and yes even mid range jumpers! The NBA should be looking at this as a style of play to adopt. I hate to say it, but the NBA has become so formulaic and dull. I'll be watching this every year from now on!

Agreed. This has been some of the best basketball I've ever seen. Every game has been a banger, a great combination of post play, 3 point shooting and yes even mid range jumpers! The NBA should be looking at this as a style of play to adopt. I hate to say it, but the NBA has become so formulaic and dull. I'll be watching this every year from now on!