Group E preview: Who will top Okinawa's 'Group of Death'?

OKINAWA (Japan) - Group E in Okinawa promises some of the toughest battles in the First Round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with an exciting lineup of Australia, Finland, Germany, and hosts Japan.

The favorite: Germany

Since their disappointing campaign in the 2019 World Cup, which saw them knocked out in the First Round, Germany are coming into FIBA's flagship event as challengers following their success in the last two years.

After reaching the Tokyo Olympics Quarter-Finals in 2021, Die Mannschaft achieved their biggest feat in recent memory by copping bronze in the FIBA EuroBasket 2022. And this year, their roster is as star-studded as it hasn't been in a long while.

They're picking up steam as the World Cup draws closer, having won four of their six preparation games with a tough schedule in the Basketball SuperCup at home and in the recent International Basketball Week in Dubai.

They led by 16 against USA in the third quarter. Germany have what it takes to hang with the best without a doubt.

The underdog: Japan

Japan have gone only 5-21 in their five trips so far in the World Cup, including a winless showing in 2019 for their worst campaign in FIBA's main event. But there's no reason whatsoever for the other teams to take present-day Akatsuki Japan lightly.

Yuta Watanabe will have a prominent role

Since Coach Tom Hovasse took over shortly after leading the women's side to a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the men's side reached the Quarter-Finals at the FIBA Asia Cup 2022 for the first time since 2015, ultimately placing seventh. They even put up a valiant effort against Australia, in which they played without an injured Yuta Watanabe, before bowing out of the competition.

Then, though assured of a slot in the World Cup as co-hosts, they made it a point to perform in the Asian Qualifiers, eventually finishing with a 7-5 record. Don't rule them out!

The pivotal game: Finland v Australia

If Germany are the favorites, and Japan are the underdogs, then the pivotal game would be Finland vs Australia on the first day of competition. This duel should set the tone for what to expect in Okinawa's 'Group of Death.'

That game would see a Susijengi side in the midst of a break-out of sorts following a Quarter-Final run in the last EuroBasket going up against the 2020 Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists, which are also the reigning two-time and undefeated Asia Cup winners.

The star power in this game will be exceptional and Lauri Markkanen will need to bring his A game for Finland as they go up against a very complete Australian squad, filled with NBA talent, who could have just as easily been considered group favorites instead of Germany. Needless to say, it will be a tough challenge for Finland.

The open question: Can Josh Giddey lead the Boomers to challenge Germany?

Josh Giddey only played one game in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers versus Hong Kong and that has been it since then for the youngster in his first senior national team appearance. Expectations are high for the 20-year-old.

The NBA sophomore with the Oklahoma City Thunder had been impressive through the Boomers versus The World series with averages of 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game.

The First Round of the World Cup could serve as his litmus test, whether or not he's capable to become the face of the esteemed program in the near future.

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Don't forget to check the Team Profiles for Australia, Germany, Finland and Japan.

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