EuroBasket 2013 - day 6

[mcege]

Great Britain - Ukraine Coach Joe Prunty already did an admirable job with this inexperienced, limited team and they're one step close to manage the impossible. They came impressive out of off day and played a good game against Germans, much better and fluid at the offensive end, mostly dependent to simple, but effective pick'n roll plays. Team's star Daniel Clark found his game throughout the tournament, he seems to shake the late injury before the tournament, coach Prunty obviously did a good job with him, as he increased his playing time game by game. Ukraine is an ok team, coach Fratello seems to point out strong points of his team and created a fighting team with certain limitations. They benefited from lucky draw and got their tickets the next round. If Ukraine wins this, GB will be out, so this win will mean nothing for them, as they'll not carry to the next round, since they won against Belgium, nothing will change for them if they loses this, as well. So, there is no need to coach Fratello to use his main players intensely, throughout the game. Great Britain qualifies, if they win, Ukraine doesn't have a reliable offensive option to suck out their biggest defensive vulnerability, which is lack of size at front court and it's a good and only time for Ukraine to rest its stars, before second round. (They'll have 3 games in 5 days, after 1 day off...) Britons have huge motivational edge, Ukraine has some quality edge, so I take points. Great Britain(+5) 5/10 @ 1.952 ps: I'll have three other plays, but they're from second and third session, so I'll post them when I wake up.

[Alfie White]

Re: EuroBasket 2013 - day 6 I didn't want to place any bets on EuroBasket until the second round since I wanted to get "introduced" with the teams, but I feel like I should share couple of thoughts for this final round of first stage. The most complicated group for this final round. Group A Great Britain - Ukraine (2.7 - 1.42) This will be big test for Great Britain fellas, if they can come on top here, they will advance to the next round. Ukraine doesn't have imperative to win this one, but if they lose and Belgium beat France, Ukraine is out! So they will fight and push to be SURE they are through to the next round. Since this game will dictate the rest of the group games, both teams will play to avoid loss thus I expect very tight game, thus I think +4.5 AH on Great Britain is a good call to make. Germany - Israel (3 - 1.35) Germany had terrible tournament, they have won against big favourites, France, but lost the next three games, to Belgium in OT, to Ukraine and to Great Britain... From the highest peaks to the Mariana Trench. I can't see how they can have a bit of motivation coming into the match with Israel. On the other side, Israel has everything to play for if Ukraine defeats Great Britain. As this clash is directly connected to the Great Britain - Ukraine match, I would suggest only one bet and ONLY if Ukraine comes on top, Israel -5.5 AH. Belgium - France (10 - 1.06) Belgium fellas can hope that they can achieve what Germany did in the first round. Problem is, if they do this, they will advance and I can't believe that France would like to drop some points, especially at this point of the tournament. They made a hiccup in the first game, lucky for them, it didn't prove to be too costly. I can't see them dropping more points now. Belgium didn't impress in tournament and I can't really see them winning against France tonight. Check what line bookies give for Belgium, if its ~65, go for under. (odds from b365)