Saturday Preview: Germans set sights on early French exit; Susijengi aim to adapt away from home

ISTANBUL (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - With the Group Phase done and dusted, attention turns to the Round of 16 with a host of interesting games in the first bracket to be played on Saturday. 

Headlining the games will be rivals Germany and France dueling in a mouthwatering contest. The teams have a long history in the tournament with Germany upsetting eventual champions France early in FIBA EuroBasket 2013. France had won the previous three meetings from 2007 through 2011 in the tournament. 

There will also be much attention on Group A surprise package Finland, who finished second with a 4-1 record on the back of their vocal fans in Helsinki. However, it remains to be seen how they will fare away from home and the Susijengi face a tough match-up against Italy, who are brilliantly coached by mastermind Ettore Messina. 

Slovenia v Ukraine (11:30 CET/12:30 local time)

Tournament form - Slovenia: WWWWW - Ukraine: LLWLW

Key match-up: Goran Dragic v Denys Lukashov. If Ukraine stand a chance of upsetting undefeated Slovenia then they have to counter the irresistible Dragic, who is the tournament's leading scorer and arguably the best player of the Group Phase. If Lukashov, whose form was erratic in Tel Aviv, can curtail Dragic and have a sizeable impact on offense then Ukraine might be able to pull off an unlikely victory.    

Breakdown: Much of Slovenia's success in the Group Phase was through the playmaking brilliance of Dragic and 18-year-old emerging superstar Luka Doncic. Devastatingly, they slash to the basket, draw the defense and kick out to open shooters. The pair proved too much for France last start in an ominous warning to opponents.

Slovenia aren't as strong in the interior and Anthony Randolph, their naturalized player, was hoped to iron our this weakness. However his play has swung wildly on both ends and Artem Pustovyi, Ukraine's center, could exploit this after averaging a team-high 17.8 points in the Group Phase. Pustovyi and fellow big man Viacheslav Kravtsov need to dominate inside for Ukraine to have a chance. 

Germany v France (14:15 CET/15:15 local time)

Tournament form - Germany: WWLWL - France: LWWWL

Key Match-Up: Dennis Schroder v Nando de Colo. The German point guard was brilliant in the Group Phase averaging 23.6 points per game to be his team's engine. When he is in full flow, Schroder is almost impossible to stop and his bag of tricks elevates Germany to another level. 

France have several talented guards but de Colo is the heartbeat of the team averaging team highs in points and minutes. His form was patchy in the Group Phase mirroring his team but he is set to raise his game on the big stage. 

Breakdown: The teams met just two weeks ago for a preparation game with France prevailing 85-79 in Berlin. On that occasion, France's perimeter firepower of de Colo, Thomas Heurtel and Evan Fournier proved too much for a German team reliant on Schroder. 

Unfortunately for France, during an underwhelming Group Phase, the trio were patchy although Heurtel started to round into form in a welcome sign for coach Vincent Collet. 

Schroder obviously is the key for Germany in getting the team humming but they need other contributions to knock over France. Daniel Theis is an excitement machine and will be relied upon against a veteran and talented French frontcourt led by captain Boris Diaw. He'll also need support from center Johannes Voightmann, who will battle Joffrey Lauvergne - arguably France's most consistent player in the Group Phase. 

Finland v Italy (17:45 CET/18:45 local time)

Tournament form - Finland: WLWWW - Italy: WWLLW

Key Match-Up: Lauri Markkanen v Luigi Datome. Markkanen lit a fuse inside Helsinki Arena with continual brilliance, including loads of clutch shooting, to prove he's a superstar in the making. 

Finland coach Henrik Dettmann used Markkanen off the bench in a successful strategy with the big man fresh and firing for the backend of games. Italy has their own sharpshooter in NBA veteran Marco Belinelli but will need Datome to continue his strong form from the Group Phase where he led the team in efficiency. The power forward is also a savvy defender and will likely be needed to limit Markkanen's magic. 

Breakdown: It's probably unfair and simplistic to state but much of the result rests in Markkanen's hands. He was the game-winner in numerous games in the Group Phase and if he once again performs those heroics then Finland will be hard to stop.

However, undoubtedly, Finland were also fueled by their loud fans which inspired them in the Group Phase. it remains to be seen whether they can play with the same energy away from home and the cunning Messina will be keen to exploit any doubt in Finland's mind. 

Lithuania v Greece (20:30 CET/21:30 local time)

Tournament form - Lithuania: LWWWW - Greece WLLLW

Key Match-Up - Mantas Kalnietis v Nick Calathes. The Lithuanian guard ran the show well in the Group Phase, teaming up nicely with star big man Jonas Valanciunas in a deadly combination. 

Calathes struggled for much of the tournament but stepped up big in the knockout game against Poland with 24 points and 10 assists underlining his influence. Calathes controlled the game's tempo and Greece looked far more poised when he is rolling. 

Breakdown: If Greece are to win, they need to play with the effort and energy they showed in the last quarter against Poland. Prior to that, Greece had been wildly inconsistent and, at times, didn't showcase the necessary willingness. 

At their best, Greece present problems with explosive guards complemented by several talented big men, who will likely be rotated on Valanciunas. 

With a well-rounded confident team, who also boast versatile forward Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Lithuania will feel confident they have the strength and depth in all areas to counter Greece's best shot. 

FIBA