2019 FIBA World Cup Draw Reaction
The draw for the 2019 FIBA World Cup did not fare well for Canada, as they find themselves in the most difficult of the eight groups.
Held in Shenzhen, the draw sorted the 32 qualified teams into eight groups ahead of the final tournament later this year, which will take place in China. Selecting the teams at random was NBA great Kobe Bryant.
Canada were the second-last team to be drawn in to Group H, which will be played in the southern city of Dongguan. They join seeded team Lithuania, one of Europe’s most seasoned basketball nations. In addition, they will take on Australia – reigning Asian Cup champions – and one of Africa’s most fearsome teams and Afrobasket bronze medalists, Senegal.
Canada are not the lowest-ranked team in the group, but with the top two only able to progress, and with all of their opponents able to call on big-name talent, they have a tough job ahead of them if they are to progress.
Group H is not the only one that seems hard at first glance, as Group B will see Argentina, Korea, Nigeria and Russia all vie for the right to advance in the tournament. This does not appear an easy task for any of the four teams.
Conversely, Spain should have no problem progressing through Group C, the rest of which is made up of Iran, Puerto Rico and Tunisia. Meanwhile, France should see little trouble in Group G against the Dominican Republic, Jordan and Germany.
Hosts China are joined in Group A by Venezuela, Poland and Cote d'Ivoire - all returning to the tournament after varying absences. With each time falling outside the top 25 in the world rankings, this seems to be the weakest of the eight groups.
Both China and Cote d'Ivoire last played at the 2010 World Championship, where they met in the group stage.
Defending champions the USA's first round opponents will be Japan, Turkey and the Czech Republic, and while the smart money will be on the Americans, the fight for second place in this group could become heated.
Containing Brazil, Greece, New Zealand and debutants Montenegro, Group F promises to be an interesting prospect, while Serbia, Angola, Italy and the Philippines round out the draw in Group D.
The tournament itself will be tipping off in China on August 31st. More information can be found on the official FIBA Basketball World Cup website.
