Olympic QT Finals

[alamo50]

Spain vs. Croatia
Lithuania vs. China
Argentina vs. Greece
USA vs. Australia


Damn, that Argentina vs. Greece clash comes one round too soon!
This should have been a Semi-Finals game.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Boomers by 12 :smokin

[KidCongo]

I thought the Boomers were getting Spain?

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

nope. They lost against Croatia and Argentina, and so they finish 4th even if Argentina loses vs Russia.

Bring on the REDEEM TEAM! :drunk

[KidCongo]

Well that should guarantee we get to watch the game then. Yew

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Croatia have VERY GOOD history against Spain. But their two best players is hurt Planinic and Popovic and maybe they might not play in game? If they is able play and are OK could be bad for Spain. Croatia very good against them in past times.

[Kill_Bill_Pana]

Spain vs. Croatia
Lithuania vs. China
Argentina vs. Greece
USA vs. Australia


Damn, that Argentina vs. Greece clash comes one round too soon!
This should have been a Semi-Finals game.

This is rematch of 2004. In 2004 it was also Argentina and Greece in quarterfinal and Argentina beat Greece by 5 points and they is ones then able to go on and win gold. Greece was the closest team of all to beat them. :depressed This is time for Hellas to get revenge now.

[Kamnik]

In a perfect world (in my head) Spain, Croatia and USA would loose in this round...

[Texas_Ranger]

I hope Croatia will win cause I can't watch Bitchy Pau Gasol and his brother.
Lithuania wins.
Argentina wins.
USA wins.

[carina_gino20]

Shit, why Greece?

[MajorMike]

If I understand it correctly, if Argy wins they will be tied with Lith, who beat them, therefore Lith gets the #1, Argy #2, Cro #3, Aus #4. If Argy loses, there will be a 3-way tie and the #1 tiebreak is combined record within that 3 which would make the seedings exactly the same. Therefore, Argy has no incentive to win today other than pride and momentum. Russia is bad enough that Argy doesn't need much to beat them.


A2 Argy
B3 Greece
- Greece was knocked out in Athens by Argy, ending the home team's shot at gold.
- Argy's closest win next to the buzzer-beater by Manu over 1-4 Serbia. In 2004 they limped into the medal round and got hot at the right time. This year they are the 2nd best team in the 2nd best pool.
- Last time Greece made it in due to an upset of the US; in 2008 Greece was clearly the 3rd best team behind USA and Spain in Pool B.

B1 USA
A4 Aussie
- Don't believe much about the Boomer's upset victory over Lith. Lith knew they were pool champions regardless of the outcome and they chose to rest top players.
- USA's biggest team to worry about is themselves; if they show up ready to play they win it all. If they because complacent the would be at risk.
- The Aussies are just jazzed to be in the show. This, in all likelihood, won't be close.

B2 Spain
A3 Croats
- Spain is the 2nd best team in the tourney behind the US. Will they play hungry for another shot at USA or will they be demoralized by their quick dispatching?
- Not really sure what to make of the Croats; they lose to good teams by slim margins and squeak by bad ones.
- Spain is the better talent but this game is not in the bag.

A1 Lith
B4 Chin
- Lith really is the best in their pool and vies for 2nd best so far against Spain. They shut it down in their last game as they knew they would be pool champ and had nothing to gain by winning.
- China is a nice story but have no guards that can compete at this level.
- Lith wins in a stomp fest.


Predictions:
Argy
USA
- This will be ala Spurs v Suns when Amare goes for 40 yet the Spurs win. Manu goes for 35 and USA wins - by double digits. The USA has been looking forward to this game for 4 years.

Spain
Lith
- If Spain shows up with the right mindset and the belief they can beat the US in a rematch they will win.

Medals:
USA over Spain; talent and intensity = Gold.
Lith over Argy; at this point Argy will be deflated. Lith is a better team.