We are past the halfway stage of the group stages at the Women’s 2016 Olympic Basketball tournament and three teams have already made it through to the knockout round. These are the three teams with the 100% record at this point and while they may take their foot off the gas in their remaining games, you can imagine that they’ll want to finish as high up their table as they can.
After all, you want to give yourself the best chance of success in the tournament and this means ensuring you get the best possible route to the final. As we near the final game, it may be the case that some teams will try to gauge where it is best to finish in their respective group but for now, all teams are likely to remain focused on topping their group.
Group A
Thursday the 11th of August sees the focus return to Group A and all of the teams should be raring to go after a day off on Wednesday. Australia have already booked their place in the knockout round and there will be a few other teams who will be as keen to join them as quickly as they can.
The games taking place on 11th of August are:
Belarus v Turkey
This game tips off at 1615 BST.
This could be the game that decides the final qualifying spot from the group. After three games for everyone, these teams are currently sitting in fourth and fifth place with a points difference of 4 separating them. Whoever grabs the upper hand at the end of this game will have something to work with in the last two games.
Belarus face Australia in their final group game while Turkey take on Brazil. Both of these games will be difficult but Turkey will fancy their chances while Belarus have a harder game. This means Belarus have to grab the win in this game to give themselves the strongest chance of making it through to the knockout stages.
The bookmakers think Turkey are the favourites but give its likely to be a close run affair, why not take Belarus at +5.5, at odds of 1.90. Anyone looking for the Over/Under market should look to go OVER 121.0 at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
Turkey can be backed in the Race To 20 Points at odds of 1.52 and if you fancy a Turkey half-time, Belarus full-time wager, you can finds odds of 8.50.
France v Brazil
This game tips off at 1930 BST.
France are facing the hosts in this game but they also have to consider the game as a match against a team that is yet to win a match. With France currently sitting in third place, and taking on Japan, who currently sit second, in their final game, this is a must win game for the Europeans. The French side should have enough to grab the win but Brazil will now be desperate to grab a win and give their home fans something to cheer about before they exit the tournament.
You should look to take France at -8, which is on offer at odds of 1.90. When it comes to the Over/Under market, you should look to go UNDER 136.0 which you can find at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
The Race to 20 Points sees France listed at 1.42 and if you are looking for the European side to dominate the game, you’ll find France half-time, France full-time listed at 1.58.
Japan v Australia
This game tips off at 2145 BST.
Second plays first in this game and with the top team having already booked their place in the next round, there may be more at stake for the Japanese. The Australians won’t be dropping off or taking this game lightly but the Japanese know that they face a battle for second place and will be keen to grab something from this game.
With this in mind, take Japan at +18.5, which you can find available at odds of 1.90. Japan may not win the game but they should be involved at a stage that prevents Australia from running away with the game. For the Over/Under market, look to go UNDER 152.5, which is on offer at odds of 1.90. Bet Now!
The Japan half-time, Australia full-time bet may be of interest and the odds are 6.00 for this outcome.
Group B
Wednesday was a busy day of action in Group B and we have two qualified to the knockout stage. The USA grabbed another big win, topping the group, while Canada also sealed their spot in the next round. Both of these teams have a 100% record so far in the tournament and they clash on Friday, so something will have to give then.
Alba Torrens was the star player for Spain, again, grabbing 32 points in their win over China. This win saw the Spanish move into third place, on 5 points, one point and place above China in the race for qualification to the knock-out round. Chen Nan offered up 13 points in the defeat for the Chinese side.
The US once again broke the 100 point mark and Diana Taurasi grabbed 25 of these points in their 110 – 84 win versus Serbia. This was the toughest match the American women’s team has faced so far in the Rio Games but it was still comfortable in the end. The Americans won every quarter, even if the two second-half quarters were slightly closer affairs. Petrovic, Milanovic and Page all grabbed 15 points each in the loss for Serbia.
Kia Nurse was the leading scorer for Canada in their 10 point win over Senegal. It may not have been the most exciting or highest scoring game of basketball but it was a strong win for the Canadians and it allows them to focus on the knock-out round. Astou Traoré delivered 24 points for the losing Senegal side.
The score-lines from 10th August in Group of Women’s Olympic Basketball were as follows:
- China 68 v Spain 89
- United States 110 v Serbia 84
- Senegal 58 v Canada 68
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