Must see matchups at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, Belgrade A
BELGRADE (Serbia)- The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournaments in Belgrade is about to bear witness to some incredible matchups that will get fans off their seats.
Set to host two pools of teams, Group A is made up of Australia, Brazil, Korea and event hosts, Serbia. While every game will be hotly contested, here’s two of of the biggest and most crunch match ups to check out.
Brazil v Korea – February 12, 18:00 (CET)
Danbi Kim played in the last meeting between these nations, some 12 years ago – and it was dramatic!
Previous matchup: These two have not met at the global level at a major tournament for 12 years, their last encounter being at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2010 in Czech Republic. It was an absolute thriller, with Korea winning 61-60 and one of their leading scorers was Danbi Kim who will be playing in this one as well – as will the game’s top scorer, Erika De Souza of Brazil.
Why it’s one to watch: With three teams advancing to Sydney from the group, it’s fair to state that both Korea and Brazil will probably look at each other and think their opponents present their best chance of the precious triumph that could book their place. Korea continue to punch above their weight and will want to continue their run of making the flagship event, while Brazil have been rocked by the absence of their frontcourt towers Damiris Dantas and Clarissa Dos Santos, so have a lot to prove in difficult circumstances.
Erika De Souza will have more experience than anyone else at the event and she will need to use it, if Brazil want to advance
Player matchup: Without Dantas and Dos Santos, has Erika De Souza still got what it takes to be a power at the highest level? A brilliant servant to her country and a colossus so many times down the years, the center will turn 40 years old next month. Brazil need her to contain the most potent weapon that Korea has, which is the returning Ji Su Park. Her towering frame will be a big danger at both ends of the floor and De Souza will need her two decades of experience to keep her in check.
Serbia v Australia – February 12, 21:00 (CET)
Previous matchup: It was an epic the last time these two locked horns and there was plenty on the line since it came at the 2016 Olympics in Rio six years ago. Serbia beat the Opals in the Quarter-Finals with a dramatic and legendary 73-71 victory, despite 29 points from Liz Cambage. Serbian ‘X-Factor’ guard Ana Dabovic went off for 24 points and sunk the crucial buckets in crunch time.
Why it’s one to watch: Australia will obviously be hoping that home advantage counts when they host the main event in September, while Serbia are trying to maximize their chances of making it by playing these Qualifiers on their own floor. Both situations invite some pressure as well, so it will be interesting to see how that manifests itself – initially, mainly on Serbia of course.
Sandy Brondello has plenty of players to choose from for Sydney and Belgrade is a vital step in determining her final roster
Marina Maljkovic has guided Serbia to the top table and may have to make mutiple adjustments in what is a semi-transitional phase because of two of her biggest-hitters retiring. Sandy Brondello has a similar issue in terms of being without some of her biggest names and also must try and figure out who is capable of filling a big void and stepping up.
Serbia’s playmaker Yvonne Anderson won FIBA Women’s EuroBasket gold on her major tournament debut last year
Player matchup: It could be one of the most exciting and intense backcourt battles at any of the Qualifying Tournaments when the two respective naturalized players for Serbia and Australia step onto the court. The addition of Yvonne Anderson was a mastersroke as the livewire guard delivered immediate results, while Sami Whitcomb was just amazing in guiding an inexperienced Opals to bronze at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup last year.
FIBA
