Group A Preview: Italy favored to take first place, but who joins them in Second Round?

MANILA (Philippines) - Group A of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 offers some intriguing dynamics as it includes a major favorite (Italy) as well as a team that could threaten some bigger names (the Dominican Republic) not to mention one of the event's hosts (Philippines) and an African nation in transition (Angola).

With only two teams going through to the Second Round, it seems the question for Group A is who will join Italy in advancing.

The Favorite - Italy

Nicolo Melli and Luigi Datome 

Italy go into the World Cup as the favorites for Group A, thanks to a strong mix of veterans and young top talent. Luigi Datome, Nicolo Melli, Achille Polonara, Giampaolo Ricci and Stefano Tonut have played together for many years and have been joined by Simone Fontecchio and Marco Spissu, who have become real leaders.

Gabriele Procida and Matteo Spagnolo meanwhile look poised to become the future backbone of the national team. The team also plays tough defense - spurred on by its energetic head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco. The veteran leadership will make the Italians the team to beat.

They are also arguably in peak form, having won 6 preparation games so far against the likes of Serbia, Greece, and Brazil.

The Underdog - Angola

Childe Dundao

Angola have long become regulars at the World Cup but have struggled to make it out of the First Round. Things won't be any easier this time around with a strong Italy team as well as a tough Dominican Republic side, not to mention the hosts Philippines with massive crowd support.

Another major factor is the Africans having lost so many of their veteran leaders from past World Cups and Olympics. Five players aged 33 or older played for Angola at the last World Cup and ended up playing a combined 77 games in the tournament over their careers. How will that experience be replaced?

Then there is the size issue for Angola at the guard spot as Childe Dundao stands at just 1.67M (5'6") and Gerson Domingos is only 1.78M (5'10"). Will their speed and skill be enough to offset that disadvantage?

The Pivotal Game - Dominican Republic v Philippines

The fans will try to give a big boost to hosts Philippines in their crucial opening game

Hosts Philippines have major question marks surrounding the team but they don't really have a lot of time to work their way into the tournament. That is because the opening game is just about a must-win for Gilas as they take on the Dominican Republic on the first day of the World Cup. The crowd support at the huge Philippine Arena could be a key factor in this must-see game.

With Italy as the favorite, that would mean the Dominicans, Philippines and Angola are likely fighting for the second spot in the group. And whoever wins this game would be in the driver's seat.

The Open Question - How will Karl-Anthony Towns impact the Dominicans?

Karl-Anthony Towns

Dominican Republic have played the last decade without one of their country's top stars but Karl-Anthony Towns is finally back in the mix for the Caribbean nation. His presence gives head coach Nestor "Che" Garcia a real weapon in the blocks. How many players at the World Cup are better than him offensively?

This is a Dominican Republic team that beat 2019 World Cup runners-up Argentina twice in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Qualifiers, so adding a talent like Towns can only make them much, much better. Right?

The Poll

 

More?

Don't forget to check the Team Profiles for Italy, Dominican Republic, Philippines and Angola.

FIBA