GOLD COAST (2018 Commonwealth Games) - The Commonwealth Games kicked off in grand style during a glitzy opening ceremony on Wednesday in Australia's Gold Coast.

It is the third-largest multi-sports event behind the Olympics and Asian Games, and the largest sporting event to be staged in Australia this decade with 6,600 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations. 

There will be plenty of attention on basketball, a sport that has been part of only one Commonwealth Games since 1930. Basketball's sole appearance was in Melbourne 12 years ago, which saw the hosts narrowly beat a Pero Cameron-inspired Tall Blacks to claim gold in the men's final in Melbourne. England beat Nigeria for bronze - and it was the exact same podium finish for the women's.

In this event, there are eight teams each in the men's and women's draw in matches played in the Gold Coast cities of Townsville and Cairns. The top two teams from Pool A progress to the semi-finals while the bottom two face the best teams from Pool B in qualifying finals.

MEN'S

Pool A: Australia, Nigeria, New Zealand, Canada
Pool B: England, Scotland, Cameroon, India

Like in 2006, Australia and New Zealand are expected to fight it out in the Gold medal match on April 15. The teams will clash in a heavyweight battle on Saturday in Cairns - undoubtedly the most anticipated group game.

Australia, the Asia champions, are considered the favorites to claim Gold but have been weakened by the withdrawal of NBL star Mitchell Creek, who starred for the Boomers during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers in February. The Boomers will also be without Mitch McCarron and Matt Hodgson in further blows for the hosts.

Still, the Boomers will be led by experienced campaigners Damian Martin, Brad Newley and Chris Goulding.

However, New Zealand are ready to challenge the locals and will fancy winning a coveted Gold medal. The Tall Blacks feature a host of players from the NBL and have continuity after years of playing and training together.

They'll be without their three best players - Isaac Fotu, Corey Webster and Tai Webster - but still have an impressive squad, highlighted by the return of Mika Vukona and Tom Abercrombie.

It's a tough Pool A with Nigeria winners of Bronze in Melbourne and who have former NBA player Ike Diogu, while Canada have been an emerging force in recent times. Of course, they will be without their slew of NBA players but still have enough young talent to be considered a threat.

In the unseeded Pool B, England are the favorites and tipped to medal just as they did 12 years ago. They will start off with a much-anticipated clash against neighbors Scotland. The other teams in Pool B are India and Cameroon, who are ranked 62nd and 65th respectively.

Indian basketball is riding a surge and will hope to continue that momentum at the Commonwealth Games. The inclusion of star player Satnam Singh Bhamara has helped their prospects of getting out of the group.

WOMEN'S

Pool A: Australia, Canada, England, Mozambique
Pool B: New Zealand, Jamaica, India, Malaysia

Like the men's, Australia is the favorite and their players boast a slew of WNBL stars. Liz Cambage headlines the squad alongside the likes of Belinda Snell and Stephanie Talbot, while 18-year-old talent Ezi Magbegor is set to make her tournament debut.

In their Commonwealth Games debut, Canada is seen as Australia's biggest threat but have sent a youthful line-up to Queensland. They will rely on 23-year-old Ruth Hamblin, who has played in the WNBL in the past couple of seasons.

The top-two seeds will meet on April 8 in Townsville in the marquee fixture of the group stages.

Reigning Bronze medalists England are also tipped as medal contenders, while Mozambique is the underdog of Pool A and boast a youthful team but will be led by star power forward Ingvild Mucauro.

In Pool B, Jamaica are the highest ranked team of the group and will be making their Commonwealth Games debut. India will be hopeful of emerging from the group, which also has New Zealand and Malaysia, even though they have not played in regular tournaments recently.

They will be without inspirational captain Anitha Paul Durai but led by star Shireen Limaye and the squad boats notable talent, highlighted by sensation Jeena Scaria.

FIBA