RIGA (Latvia) - The beginning of July will be a constant party for basketball fans around the world, catching up with action coming from the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Puerto Rico, Spain, Greece, and Latvia. But rarely a more balanced three-team pool than the one involving Brazil, Montenegro, and Cameroon in Riga's Group B could be found.
The Favorite: Brazil
Just looking at the Olympic Games participation between these three teams, it's easy to draw a favorite in Group B: Cameroon 0, Montenegro 0, Brazil 15. They've missed out only on Montreal 1976, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Bejing 2008, and Tokyo 2020.
Brazil got to Riga with a multi-generational roster that started things by bringing back Aleksandar Petrovic on the bench. He knows how to win FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, as he proved in 2016 with Croatia booking a ticket to... Brazil.
Coming off two standout seasons in Europe, both Yago dos Santos and Bruno Caboclo wish to finally achieve a qualification towards the interlaced rings. If you add a talented core naming Georginho de Paula, Leo Meindl, Gui Santos, and the returning Raul Neto on playmaking duties, the chances for Brazil can't do anything but grow even more.
Another reason to push on the accelerator for Brazil is sending Marcelinho Huertas to the Olympic Games. Ahead of what could be his last playing season - we don't say that too loudly - he might put the icing on the cake even before preparing it. If Diana Taurasi can fly to Paris, make some space on board for another well-seasoned magician.
The Underdog: Cameroon
From NBA Draft fiesta - as two prospects like Yves Missi (21st pick) and Ulrich Chomche (57th pick) got selected to start a new journey in the league - to the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, it's a short step. Cameroon heads to Riga with a fighting spirit.
In a closed-door scrimmage against Georgia, the Indomitable Lions managed to overcome the physical advantage provided by guys like Toko Shengelia, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Goga Bitadze. They're clearly behind in contention, but they fight. Like good underdogs.
Moreover, Pascal Siakam's absence could make others' confidence get to another level. We can expect crucial decisions involving Jordan Baheye or Paul Eboua, for example. With scoring and assisting leader Jeremiah Hill in their control room, unpredictability is provided.
The Pivotal Game: Brazil vs Montenegro
Sometimes you leave the best for the end, but often you start things off with a banger. That's the case with this year's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, where Brazil and Montenegro will square off in the competition's opener, scheduled on July 2 at 14:30 CET.
We can expect stands full of home fans waiting for the big clash between Georgia and Latvia - as in Group A's Pivotal Game - lined up later in the afternoon. Once again, this is also a game full of matchups, starting from the clash up the rim between Nikola Vucevic and Bruno Caboclo, or on the wingside with Dino Radoncic and Gui Santos.
Moreover, it could be revenge time for the 2023-24 Basketball Champions League MVP Marcelinho Huertas, who decided to postpone his retirement one more year ahead. Squaring off against Kendrick Perry, who led Unicaja Malaga to glory at Belgrade's Final Four against Tenerife, could bring extra motivation to the 41-year-old veteran.
There are only two matchups between these two sides, with Brazil winning twice. At the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Marcelinho Huertas and Cristiano Felicio put on a show with Aco Petrovic on the bench. Will it happen again?
The Open Question: Can Montenegro turn it around?
Like Latvia and Georgia in Group A, this could be the dawn of a new era for Montenegrin basketball. The country's sporting movement has been in constant growth since FIBA EuroBasket 2022, going through a solid 11th position at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Putting the country on his back, Nikola Vucevic is the prompt answer to whatever question would emerge alongside the tournament in Riga for Montenegro. Preparing in double-double fashion against Greece (20 points, 12 rebounds) and The Bahamas (15 points, 15 rebounds), he looks in good shape.
With the team's captain turning 34 years old in October, there is no denying this might end up being one of his last summers suiting up for the red-and-yellow national team. What if Montenegro can gift him - and vice versa, of course - an Olympic ballade in the post?
To do so, not only do they have to bring their best version on the court - similar to the second-half action against The Bahamas - since the first clash with Brazil, but they might also overcome established squads like Georgia and Latvia. For now, one step at a time.
More?
Don't forget to check the Team Profiles for: Brazil, Montenegro, and Cameroon.
FIBA