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BEIJING: Tokyo 2020 Olympic Basketball seems suddenly wide open after the defending United States suffered their worst World Cup, Spain triumphed and Argentina was defeated. surprise.
World Cup bronze medalists France and Australia, who were eliminated from the medals but pushed the eventual winner, Spain, in the semifinals, will also be in the running.
Not to mention Serbia, who, along with Gregg Popovich's young Team USA, was the favorite in China but was also surprised by the quarter-finals.
The Tokyo Games will be held in just over 10 months and after a period of unavailability after the World Cup race, teams will begin to focus on next summer.
"That's exactly what I knew because I got involved before and at that time, basketball in other countries is not a secret," Popovich said afterwards. the disappointing finish in seventh place of his team.
"So it's not like there was an epiphany or a revelation to make.
"There are great teams and coaches all over the world, so nothing surprising."
If the United States can convince players like double gold medalist LeBron James to play in Tokyo, they will be favorites to win four Olympic titles in a row.
But it remains to be seen if the way in which the American team flew after the Chinese debacle frightens the listeners or stings them in the fight.
"SPAIN IS NOT THE MOST TALENT"
The triumph of Spain in the World Cup, sealed by a complete victory of 95 to 75 against the finalists of the surprise, Argentina, Sunday in Beijing, is built on the defense and the Teamwork completed to be played in previous years.
They also had Ricky Rubio, the leader of the Phoenix Suns, named MVP of the tournament, and the experience and international know-how of Marc Gasol.
Rubio described the Spanish team as "a family".
In contrast, the US roster was one of the youngest in China and was merged at the last minute. Players were always getting to know each other at the beginning of the tournament.
"We were neither the biggest nor the most talented, nor the chances of the start of the tournament, but we worked hard," said Spanish coach Sergio Scariolo, assistant of the NBA Raptors champion. from Toronto.
"They did not lose confidence in themselves and basketball rewarded them."
DISAPPOINTMENT FIRE AUSTRALIA
Australia ended the series of 78 consecutive wins by Americans in major competitions and exhibition games, just before the World Cup, a warning of what was going to happen.
The Boomers led Spain for a good part of their thrilling semifinal before losing twice in overtime. They also ran out of gasoline during their bronze medal match against France.
Australia is still looking for a medal at the world championships or the Olympics – a sterile race that they hope to finally take over next summer.
Mitch Creek, their forward, hopes the Boomers will have all their players for Tokyo. They missed the Philadelphia 76ers, Jonah Bolden and Ben Simmons in China.
"This team is going to be a very powerful team for the Olympic Games," he warned.
The Australians continue to simmer their point loss to Spain in the bronze medal game at Rio 2016.
"We have not forgotten the previous Olympic Games, fourth place there," he said.
"And we will certainly not forget this World Cup campaign.
"So we can get a lot out of it and take advantage of it."
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