MIES (Switzerland) - The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024 will tip off on June 29 and every group stage game will have an impact on the standings. Still, some games have more intrigue than others.
We looked through the schedule of the first three days of games and came up with five showdowns that fans definitely should not miss.
China v Guinea - June 29
The Ahmet Comert Sports Hall will witness history on the first day of action as Guinea play their first-ever global game - men or women, youth or senior - with their opening game in Group B against China.
The Africans, who won the title at the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2023, will be so excited to make their debut and Guinea have solid chances of grabbing the win.
USA v France - June 29
Group B's biggest game - and perhaps the biggest game of all in the group stage - will take place in the Sinan Erdem Dome when six-time undefeated champions United States face off with France.
These two youth powers have squared off twice in this competition - the last time being USA's 95-52 blowout win in the 2018 Final. This could be a preview of the Final to take place on July 7.
Argentina v Italy - June 29
Group C can be considered very even from top to bottom with hosts Türkiye, Argentina, Italy and New Zealand. That means every game in the group will be crucial - with even every point possibly making a difference in the final standings.
And Argentina play Italy in the first game of this group at the Ahmet Comert Sports Hall. Italy won their only game against Argentina in this competition in 2014 for ninth place.
Spain v Lithuania - July 2
Group A supremacy will most likely be up for grabs on the final day of the group stage as Spain and Lithuania face off in the Ahmet Comert Sports Hall. This will be a rematch of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2023 Semi-Finals, which Spain won 80-63 en route to the continental title. These two powers played in the U17 World Cup in 2022 exactly two years ago to the day and Lithuania won 71-68.
Spain and Lithuania played twice in the 2016 edition with Spain winning in the group stage but Lithuania taking the more important win in the Third Place Game. On top of all that, the winner of Group A will most likely avoid having to play United States until the Final. The second place finisher in Group A could face USA in the Semi-Finals - given the Americans take first place in Group B.
Australia vs Canada - July 2
Group D includes Australia, Canada, Germany and Egypt. It is not a stretch that first place in the group could be at stake when Australia face Canada on the final day of the group stage at Sinan Erdem Dome.
Australia will have to make history though as they have never beaten Canada in this competition with a 0-5 mark including Canada's 74-70 Quarter-Finals win in 2018.
FIBA