FIBA officials and special guests from each of the participating teams gathered to watch the draw of the 18th FIBA World Tournament Championship (or World Cup, as it was recently rebranded) at the Shenzen Bay Arena.
World Basketball Organisation Head Horacio Muratore welcomed the 32 qualifying teams and thanked China for hosting the competition. But things really lit up a few minutes later, when R&B-star Jason Derulo entered the arena for the musical section of the evening. He was followed by basketball legends, Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming, who appeared on stage to participate in the draw.
Greece was drawn in Group F, alongside Montenegro, Brazil and New Zealand, while Australia will have to face Canada, Senegal and Lithuania in Group H. Greece are undoubtedly in the most difficult position of the two teams, since if they manage to advance from their group, then they will cross with group E in round two where Team USA have been placed, alongside Turkey, the Czech Republic and Japan.
On the other hand, Australia’s group might be tough, but should they make it out of it “alive”, then they will go on to face two teams from group G (France, Dominican Republic, Germany or Jordan.)
Greece and Australia have a small chance to meet in the quarter-finals of the competition. The FIBA World Cup begins 31 August and will conclude on 15 September with the grand final.
