FIBA Americas – Second Phase Preview of the FIBA Americas Championship 2007

LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas Championship) – Everything is set for the Second Round in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007. USA has demonstrated their dominance over the rest of the teams, as a result it’s almost impossible to think of them losing the first place. Argentina is the only team that may have a chance of making things difficult for them, but will the South American will look for the victory risking their physical energy? It seems unlikely, because if things continue the way they are, the Argentineans will be looking the next day for the second spot available for Beijing.

Another fact that was clear during the first round is the dominance of Group B over Group A. As a result, you can expect better results from Canada on this second phase. The three most important things to watch during this phase are (1) the game between USA vs. Argentina, the last rival of potential danger they might face in this competiton; (2) the confrontation between Argentineans and Brazilians, clear favorites to grab the second spot available for the Olympics; (3) those team reaching the last 3 places available for the FIBA World Pre-Olympic, scheduled for next July.

The battle between Brazil and Argentina will be imprinted by some rivalry (which could be relative) during this second round, since they might face each other again in the seminfinals for the final spot for the Olympics; however, it will help us see both teams’ current situation.

Meanwhile, USA will easily continue their way to the last game, where there will be only two more steps to go: the semi-finals and the finals. There, they will have to prove the kind of team they are.

The rest of the fight for the last remaining positions (up until the fifth place) have some pre-qualified candidates in the figures of Canada and Uruguay. With a win, both team will position themselves in good place for the final objective. None of them is sincerely aspiring for a direct ticket to Beijin, but they do have in their minds a trip to the World Pre-Olympic.

The final hour! Time for no mistakes, because just one could throw away the illusion of a whole year.

Fabian Garcia
FIBA Americas