Preview: Germany vs Latvia – 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter final
The elite eight of basketball have been decided as the quarter finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup get under way. Wednesday begins with Germany taking on Latvia. Key details Who: Germany (5-0) vs Latvia (4-1) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: 6 September at 16.45 Manila time/11.45 Riga/10.45 Berlin/9.45 London/6.45 New York How […]
Preview: Italy vs USA – 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter final
The elite eight of basketball have been decided as the quarter finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup get under way. The second game sees Italy take on the USA. Key details Who: Italy (4-1) vs USA (4-1) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: 5 September at 20.40 Manila/14.40 Rome/13.40 London/8.40 New York How […]
Preview: Lithuania vs Serbia – 2023 FIBA World Cup quarter final
The elite eight of basketball have been decided as the quarter finals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup get under way. The action starts with with Lithuania vs Serbia. Key details Who: Lithuania (5-0) vs Serbia (4-1) Where: Mall of Asia Arena, Manila When: 5 September at 16.45 Manila time/10.45 Belgrade/9.45 London/6.45 New York How […]
Will the real Serbia basketball team please stand up?
Serbia ran riot in the first half and ripped the soul from Dominicana before it even knew what had happen. The question is, where was this Serbian performance when it was needed two days ago? Imagine a boot stamping on a face for 40 minutes. That’s what it was like for Dominican Republic on Sunday […]
Gigi Datome’s story isn’t finished yet
With Luigi Datome’s career on the line, as well as their future at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Italy did everything they could to lose but Gigi made sure the story is still being written as they eventually took down Puerto Rico Whatever fear of a hangover from Gianmarco Pozzecco’s men after their epic comeback […]
Rokas Jokubaitis leads Lithuania past Greece
Rokas Jokubaitis came up big in the second half as he provided the creative spark Lithuania needed to see off Greece and secure their place in the quarter finals of the FIBA World Cup Technically speaking, this was only an elimination game for Greece. In reality, Lithuania didn’t fancy the cards falling their way if […]
A harsh lesson for the USA
The USA won against Montenegro but the problems in this roster and the style of play they have opted to play with were all too evident as the tiny nation gave them one hell of a game in Manila No efficiency from deep, no impact in the paint, and, quite simply, no half-court offence. The […]
They fought here
There was, of course, a basketball game and one with stakes at that but Emmet Ryan just had to go to Araneta Coliseum for the sheer history October 1, 1975, the date is on the banner high for the Thrilla in Manila. In my early 20s, I was thrilled to find that the bonus content […]
Papapetrou guides Greece past gallant New Zealand
New Zealand left it all out there in a display filled with bravery and belief but it just wasn’t enough in the end as Greece, eventually, secured their spot in the second phase. Emmet Ryan reports from Manila Being a Tall Black is a vocation because you’ve got to be devoted to dream of this […]
Steve Kerr may regret not testing Kessler
It was another easy win for the USA as they took care of Jordan with ease at the 2023 FIBA World Cup but Emmet Ryan thinks Steve Kerr missed a golden opportunity to test his emergency option It’s not like the USA appear to need much help so far at this World Cup. Comfortable victories […]
Valanciunas proves that this is his court
It took a while for the big man battle to get going but once it did, Jonas Valanciunas was decisive in his duel with Nikola Vucevic as Lithuania moved to 3-0 with victory over Montenegro Basketball is a complex game involving movement, sets, knowing when to be opportunistic, adjustments, and so much more. Sometimes however […]
USA coast past Greece but that may be a worry for the Americans
It felt like a glorified exhibition from early on and that’s bad news for the victors, writes Emmet Ryan. Austin Reaves may be beloved by the locals but cruise control in Manila isn’t ideal even if it lead to a comprehensive win over Greece Take your pick really. Staring down the interior D of the […]