Spain vs Ivory Coast

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Spain, the current World Cup champions, will begin their title defense on August 26 against Ivory Coast. If Spain manages to secure another gold medal, they will become only the third team in the history of the tournament to win consecutive championships.

Despite the absence of Ricky Rubio, a seasoned point guard and the MVP of the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Spain boasts a skilled and deep roster featuring players like Willy and Juancho Hernangomez, Usman Garuba, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Llull, and Santi Aldama.

Spain clinched victory at EuroBasket 2022 even without Rubio, demonstrating their ability to navigate tough tournaments without a key leader. Juan Nunez is expected to step into a significant role in the absence of the NBA veteran playmaker, along with Lorenzo Brown, who was a standout performer during the Euros.

Their initial challenge comes from Ivory Coast, ranked 42nd by FIBA. The African team, led by Vafessa Fofana, Souleymane Diabate, and Maxence Dadiet, has shown their capabilities in the African qualification games and is expected to put up a strong fight.

In Group G, Spain stands out as the strongest team. Second place is likely to be a competitive battle between Brazil and Iran. Despite being considered underdogs, Ivory Coast is determined to make their nation proud.

Spain engaged in five preparation matches, securing victories against Venezuela, Slovenia, and the Dominican Republic, while suffering defeats against the USA and Canada. Historically, Spain tends to gradually peak in tournaments, and even friendly matches might not reflect their true potential. Coach Sergio Scariolo is known for saving the best for crucial moments, minimizing concerns from their loss to Canada.

In Ricky Rubio's absence, experienced players like Sergio Llull and Rudy Fernandez take on leadership roles, especially in critical World Cup matches. The addition of Juancho Hernangomez, a recent reinforcement from Panathinaikos, adds strength to their offensive game alongside his brother Willy, the most valuable player in the previous Eurobasket.

Spain doesn't arrive at the championship with their strongest lineup, but they've previously shown that they can excel in such circumstances and contend for the title. Similar to their past successes, Spain might not be the favorites, but they have ample room to improve their performance throughout the group stage.

Ivory Coast participated in nine friendly matches, securing victories against Portugal, the Czech Republic, Guinea (twice), and Lebanon. They suffered losses against Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina (twice), and the Philippines in their final test before the tournament. These results provide a realistic assessment of the team's quality under the leadership of Dejan Prokic. Notably, their 16-point win over the Czech Republic was influenced by the opponent's weakened lineup.

Key player Vafess Fofana from Graveline has played a vital role in Ivory Coast's preparations, showcasing his skills in various games, including a match against Jordan where he contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Nisse Zouzoua also stood out, particularly with impressive performances against Portugal and Bosnia and Herzegovina, scoring 23 and 21 points respectively.

Ivory Coast benefited from the draw for two reasons: they were paired with competitive rival Iran and will have the opportunity to face basketball powerhouses Spain and Brazil, relishing those matchups. Securing a place in the World Cup is already a significant achievement for this team, and any additional success would be a bonus.

Spain will be without Ricky Rubio due to his mental recovery, and fatigue prevents Lorenzo Brown from aiding the reigning champions. Alberto Diaz, recently recovered from injury, is ready for upcoming challenges. Notably, Euroleague players are absent from Ivory Coast's roster, with Alex Poythress injured and Matt Costello taking a break.