Debutants Czechs fight like a lion into the Second Round

SHENZHEN (China) - Czech Republic have shown throughout the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 that even a debutant can mix it up with the best of the world. And the Europeans booked a spot in the Quarter-Finals thanks to their heart like a lion.

The Czechs were made to sweat it out but in the end, the United States "did their job" and helped them into the top eight in their first appearance on the world stage.

"We are not celebrating yet because we need for America to win. I hope they will do the job. I believe in them," Czech coach Ronen Ginzburg said after his team lost 84-77 to Greece but were able to move through the Second Round thanks to being in a three-way tie with Greece and Brazil and having the best point differential.

The Czechs will now take on Australia in the Quarter-Finals on Wednesday in Shanghai. And the coach was at a loss for words after the game.

"I am speechless. I don't have the words about my players. Every game they come and show more and more, effort and character," Ginzburg said. "The motto of this national team over the years is to fight like a lion. And that is what they are doing. We played against one of the best teams in the world. We did some tactical things but in the end, the heart won the game."

Won the game even though it was a loss - probably the happiest defeat in the history of Czech basketball.

"It's always tough to play in moments like these when you know that you are playing for a margin like this," said veteran Vojtech Hruban, referring to the fact that the Czechs could have afforded a loss by 11 points and still advance - as long as USA beat Brazil later in the day in Shenzhen.

"THE MOTTO OF THIS NATIONAL TEAM OVER THE YEARS IS TO FIGHT LIKE A LION. AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING."

Many people are probably surprised that the Czechs are in the top eight - especially because they are missing one of their top stars in Jan Vesely. But the Quarter-Finals spot is deserved as they beat Japan and Turkey in the First Round and then pulled off one of the biggest victories in the country's history with a 22-point win over Brazil before the Greece game.

"We're surprising even ourselves as well probably," Hruban admitted.

If there is one characteristic of this team, it's closeness as six of the players played for CEZ Nymburk last season.

"We try to enjoy it as much as a team," said Hruban, who is one of those Nymburk players. "We can find each other blindfolded. So that's our biggest strength and we always do our best on the court and so far it's working.”

Hruban did not shy away from saying he would be interested in playing Australia in the Knockout Phase, mainly because it would be a different opponent.

"We've never played against Australia - it's our first time here in the World Cup - so we want to play against them because those are the teams we never face in the FIBA EuroBaskets," said the 30-year-old.

One thing is certain, the Australians had best be ready for a team ready to fight like a lion.

FIBA