EuroBasket-2007 Qualification Picks

Written by Alleks

Wednesday, 13 September 2006

Sweden - Ukraine
First game won by 61-66 Ukraine. In that game both team where shooting with lower than average percentage especially from 3pt line, but in looking into other game results it seems normal. Ukraine will play with their leading scorer Drozdov and this could reall hurt them in offense and force them play in defence to get very important win.

Sweden scored 75+ points only twice during last 2 qualification tournaments and I don't expect them to score 70 points in today's game too. Because their average offensive performance is about 71.5 points per game, while Ukrainians allow only 68.5 points. Ukrainian should work hard in defence to get important win but Sweden also know how to play in defence, they are allowing 80+ in average but I expect them to allow somewhere about 74-78 tonight because Ukrainian lost 2 key players for this game: Drozdov and Pecherov.

Predicted score: Sweden 66 - 74 Ukraine

Pick: UNDER 151 @ 1.85 Expect (medium confidence)

Maybe it's worth to try Ukraine ML but I don't trust them.. they are better team but without key player they could be in trouble today.

Russia - Belgium

I don't have time to write long write-up so I'll list main factors:
- revenge for lose in Belgium
- A.Hervelle (key player) is injured for Belgium
- Full gym where Russian trashed Czechs
- Russia needs point difference to secure best 2nd position
- Blatt said that this game is a key one, because they can 99% secure 2nd position

Just don't see how Belgium can stay close in this game.

Predicted score: Russia 94 - 58 Belgium

Pick: Russia -19.5 (medium-high confidence)