The world is abuzz with anticipation for a potential FIBA World Cup finale between Team USA and Canada.
Both sides are stacked with talented NBA players and this predictably made them the pre-tournament favorites to meet in the finals. Team USA and Canada are now just one win away from making this North American derby for the gold medal a reality, but they must first make it past their semifinal rivals from Europe who are no slouches themselves.
Germany, the only remaining undefeated team in this tournament, stands in the way of the USA. The Germans are coming off a thrilling 81-79 quarterfinal win over Latvia where they received a boost from the return of Franz Wagner.
The 22-year-old Wagner injured his ankle during Germany’s World Cup opener and missed the remainder of the group stage before suiting up for the quarterfinals. Though Germany head coach Gordon Herbert decided to bring Wagner off the bench in his first game back, the Orlando Magic forward did not miss a beat as he finished with 16 points and eight rebounds which were team-highs.
Wagner is probably the best-player-in-the-World-Cup-that-the-casual-fan-is-not-aware-of, yet this is sure to change once their semifinal match-up with Team USA is over regardless of the game’s result.
Germany actually does have a strong chance of winning this semifinal match-up. This unit has extended experience playing together dating back to last year’s EuroBasket–something that this hastily assembled USA group does not have. Aside from Wagner, Germany also has a few other NBA veterans in Dennis Schroder, Daniel Theis, Mo Wagner, and Isaac Boga together with EuroLeague mainstays Andreas Obst and Johannes Voigtmann who should allow them to go toe-to-toe with the Americans.
While Schroder has been Germany’s best player this tournament, it is the returning Wagner who possesses the ability to turn this team from a good one into a gold medal winner.
Meanwhile, Canada is set to face an inspired Serbia squad that is rallying behind their injured teammate Borisa Simanic. Canada may have the best player remaining in this World Cup in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic has enough in his arsenal to match the reigning All-NBA First Team member for at least one game.
Furthermore, Serbia flexed an impressive defense in their quarterfinal match that shut down a red-hot Lithuania team that was coming off an imposing victory over Team USA.
Serbia has proven over this tournament that they should not be overlooked despite the absence of two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic and they are now just two wins away from winning the gold medal.
Although many have been quick to jump on the USA-Canada finals bandwagon, it is also quite possible that they meet in the matinee third place match instead. Germany and Serbia are two teams that cannot be taken lightly and have proven in this tournament that they have what it takes to win it all.
Any of these four teams in the semifinals have a realistic chance of winding up on the top of the podium come September 10 as this World Cup is shaping up to be the most exciting one in recent memory. Basketball fans around the globe are finally getting the parity that they have long asked for as a new breed of stars have shown out for flag and country.
BARAN
BAHADIR