OLYMPIC QUALIFYING PREVIEW - EURO 2

by Joey Phillips

Another loaded European qualifying group features the World Cup champions (France) alongside a vast group of worthy rivals. Will France be able to repeat their efforts from the World Cup or is a championship hangover imminent as another hungry team pulls clear? 


Group Members

  • France

  • Spain

  • Germany

  • Israel

  • Great Britain

  • Portugal 

France

The World Cup champions from last year look to solidify their Olympic spot behind more stellar play from dominant scorers Je’llo and Padraza. France was inarguably the best squad during their World Cup run as they were a stifling defensive unit, surrendering the second fewest points per contest. One of the big keys to their success on the defensive end was minimizing second chances, France averaged the most defensive rebounds of any team in the World Cup. Can the French repeat their successful run with a top spot in the group?


Key Players

Che’rry Je’llo - 13.6 PPG / 3.9 APG / 2.0 RPG

Al Padraza - 11.1 PPG / 11.9 RPG / 3.7 APG

Kamron Kane - 11.3 PPG / 14.0 RPG / 1.1 APG


Spain

Coming off a run that saw them advance past the group stage, Spain will look for more success in the knockout stages this go around as the Spaniards were sent packing in the first round of the knockout phase at the World Cup. Led by a talented tandem of Elias Machera and Javier Munoz, Team Spain is joined by a solid cast of NBA talent including veteran Ricky Rubio and Willy Hernangomez. Can they contend in a loaded group?


Key Players

Elias Machera - 23.8 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 2.5 APG

Javier Munoz - 25.5 PPG / 6.3 APG / 5.0 RPG

Santi Aldama - 6.5 PPG / 6.3 RPG / 1.3 APG


Germany

Another team that saw its way through the group stage at the World Cup, Team Germany will be hopeful of a deeper run this time after being knocked out in the quarterfinals. Led by Steve Carter and the Stern Brothers, Germany has an exceptional amount of playoff experienced players who should thrive in this tournament. Germany was a tenacious defense at the World Cup, leading the way in points against per game. Can this defense prowess continue against some of the GSB’s top scorers? 


Key Players

Steve Carter - 18.0 PPG / 4.0 APG / 3.8 RPG

Dub Stern - 15.8 PPG / 4.6 APG / 2.8 RPG

Steele Stern - 10.4 PPG / 4.2 APG / 5.2 RPG


Israel 

Arguably one of the surprises of the World Cup, Team Israel advanced out of the group stage. Unfortunately, their success would not last as an immediate exit in the knockout stage would follow. Led by a dynamic scoring tandem in Lederman and Freeman, can team Israel repeat their group stage success? It will be interesting to see if they continue to be reliant on quick transition play as Team Israel were top 5 in PACE during the World Cup. 


Key Players

Ethan Lederman - 21.3 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 4.3 APG

Derrick Freeman - 24.8 PPG / 6.0 RPG / 4.8 APG

Biff Marcum - 9.5 PPG / 9.8 RPG / 1.3 SPG


Great Britain

A well rounded roster led Great Britain to a successful run in World Cup play last season. A team that finished top 10 in NET rating, offensive rating, and defensive rating, Team Britain was one of the most balanced rosters during World Cup play. A well balanced scoring load led by Aldo Huxley, Joey Phillips, and Billy Bob Buckley proved to be decisive as Britain's offense was tough to stop. After controlling their group at the World Cup, can Great Britain advance beyond the quarterfinals  this time around in a loaded group?


Key Players

Bobby Bricks - 12.2 PPG / 5.0 APG / 2.8 RPG

Aldo Huxley - 21.0 PPG / 5.4 APG / 1.0 SPG

Billy Bob Buckley - 16.4 PPG / 14.8 RPG / 3.2 APG


Portugal 

Yet another team that advanced beyond the group stage at the World Cup, Portugal was sent home in the first round of the knockout phase. Led by star big men King DeMoura and Pharoah Dotson, the Portuguese were predictably one of the better rebounding teams at the World Cup. Perhaps the key to their offense was creating as many second chance opportunities as possible - Portugal ranked third in offensive rebounds per game. Can they advance to the Olympics in a stacked group for a shot at Gold? 


Key Players

King DeMoura - 13.3 PPG / 9.0 RPG / 2.3 BPG

Mike Melo - 11.8 PPG / 5.8 RPG / 4.5 APG

Pharoah Dotson - 13.8 PPG / 10.5 RPG / 2.3 APG

Standings Prediction

  • France

  • Great Britain

  • Germany

  • Spain

  • Portugal

  • Israel


Verdict

This group was the most difficult to predict as it is the only group that saw every team advance past the group stage at the World Cup. I lean towards France to advance as the reigning champions but with 5 viable teams behind them, don’t expect their path to be easy. This is the epitome of a group of death.