FIBA World Basketball Championships - Semifinal Preview

Here we are down to four teams, so let's jump right into it with the PBP breakdown of each semi-final match-up.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Quarterfinal Preview

I am batting .750 going six for eight in picks for the first knockout round of the FIBA World Championships, but let's be honest the games were not that difficult to pick and if I used my head instead of my heart I would have been perfect. Regardless, we are at the quarterfinal stage of the competition, so onto the fearless predictions.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Sweet Sixteen Preview

After a week and a half of round robin basketball action, we have finally entered the knock-out single elimination stage of the FIBA World Basketball Championships. We have had our fair share of disappointments, thank you Canada and surprises, way to go New Zealand. So let's get our perspective on the upcoming matches with some fearless predictions.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Group A Preview

In less than a week the FIBA World Basketball Championships will tip-off in Turkey with the top 24 teams competing for the title of World Champion. The United States, Spain, Argentina and Greece are the four favorites for the semifinal spots, with a champion emerging from this group. Spain are the defending World Champions, beating Greece in Japan four years ago. The US have not won this competition since 1994 when the tourney was held in Canada. The competition divides the 24 teams into four groups of six, with the top four teams in each group advancing to the knock-out stages. Over the next couple of days PBP will look at each group and try to provide a concise preview. Let's begin with Group A! Enjoy!

Greece - Serbia Basketball Brawl

With a week before the FIBA Basketball Championships in Turkey, Greece hosted the Acropolis Tournament, a friendly tournament between the hosts and three teams that will be participating in the championships. In this year`s edition Greece invited Canada, Slovenia and Serbia to participate. Today`s was the final day of games for all four teams and let`s just say things got heated between Greece and Serbia. Check out the video after the jump. As they say in Greece Το ξύλο της αρκούδας....

Day 13 Fearless Predictions

After making a spirited comeback to climb two games above .500 I faltered on Day 12 and picked games based on my heart rather than my head. But, I can hold my head up high, I did pick the French to choke and hoped that Nigeria and Greece would be able to accomplish the miracles needed, but sometimes in soccer the better teams win. So congratulations to Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina and South Korea for reaching the Round of 16. We are onto Group C & D and at the end of the day we will have more than half of the teams who will continue onto the next stage. Onto the picks!

Day 13

Slovenia - England

John Terry is a complete jackass, there I said it. First he sleeps with Wayne Bridge's baby mama, and then he speaks out of line and is a rat to the media regarding Fabio Capello. If I was Don Fab I would bench Terry and play Dawson and Upson in the center of the defensive back four. Regardless this is it for England. To fail to advance to the Round of 16 will a complete and utter disappointment and although they are playing a very tough Slovenian squad, there are weaknesses that the United States exposed that England could use to their advantage. The Brits need to use their wingers and Wayne Rooney needs to be at this best form or else good bye England.

Slovenia - England (0-2)

United States - Algeria

Did you know that the United States is 0-6 in the third game of the group stage at the World Cup? Well tomorrow the tide needs to turn for the United States to advance into the Round of 16. I believe Bob Bradley needs to encourage Uncle Sam's men to attack from the onset and play a complete game, because the US in their two earlier matches allowed early goals. The key for the Algerians is defensive organization coupled with counter-attacking play. As the game draws further along still scoreless, the Algerians could sneak in a winner. Should be an exciting match.

United States - Algeria (2-1)

Ghana - Germany

Ghana is the last great hope for the African teams at the World Cup. So much for the 'home-continent' advantage, it has been a complete joke. Ghana needs to play strong defensively to shut down a German attack that will be playing without Miroslav Klose due to his red card in the match against Serbia. The Germans should be able to exploit Ghana's weaknesses if it uses Philip Lahm as a wingback and the darting runs from midfielder Ozul. Germany should be able to overcome Ghana in this match.

Ghana - Germany (0-2)

Australia - Serbia

Australia will be welcoming back Tim Cahill for this match against the Serbians still hopeful of a chance to advance to the Round of 16. I am not sure what to make of Serbia. Picked by many to be a dark horse in this tourney they have disappointed but I see them playing a full 90 minutes of football and squeezing out a result against Australia. The key for the Serbs is the focus and organization from center backs Vidic and Subotic.

Australia - Serbia (0-1)

OVERALL RECORD

18-18

Day 8 Fearless Predictions

Buoyed by Greece's first ever goal and victory at the World Cup, I slept in, so excuse the late posting of Day 8 Fearless Predictions. That felt good to write. Day 8 sees the Germans in action again against the Serbians while the US battles Slovenia and England takes on Algeria. Should be a great slate of games, so onto the picks, while I am off to the bar to enjoy the fine Toronto weather.

Day 8

Germany - Serbia

Can the Germans continue the form that they showed against Australia? Serbia needs a result in this game especially considering their loss to Ghana and should provide a more formidable defensive presence than the Aussies did. I expect the Germans to continue their fine form and muster a victory. However, the longer the Serbs hold their defensive shape, their confidence will grow and they could sneak a victory.

Germany - Serbia (2-0)

Slovenia - United States

Finally, some trash-talking but who knew it would come from the Slovenians. With a victory Slovenia will all but secure their place into the Round of 16. I expect this to be a tight and nervy affair with both teams intent on their defensive responsibilities and offering very little going forward. The Americans will need more offensive play from their creative players like Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley to break down a sturdy Slovenian defense. This will be a tight affair and end in a draw.

Slovenia - United States (1-1)

England - Algeria

Early reports are all but confirming that David 'Calamity' James will be in goal for the British against Algeria. I do not understand why Fabio Capello does not have faith in youngster Joe Hart. Regardless, the English should in all reality crush the Desert Foxes in the late game. I expect Captain Gerrard to pot a goal, while Wayne Rooney gets his name on the scoreboard coupled with a headed goal from John 'I'll Sex Up Your Girl' Terry. England strolls to victory.

England - Algeria (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

10-10

Day 3 Fearless Predictions

I promised myself that I am waiting at least 24 hours before offering any sort of commentary on the sorry excuse of a performance by the Greek national team, but hell there are more games to play, so here are some more fearless predictions, although with my current predictive power they might be fearful.

Day 3

Algeria - Slovenia

So far no European team has managed to win a game at the World Cup, so I am bucking the trend and declaring the Slovenians the first European team to win a game in South Africa. Expect a nervy affair with a late goal.

Algeria - Slovenia (0-1)

Serbia - Ghana

In my opinion this is the best game of the day because of the ferocity of the tackling and the ultra aggressive play that both sides will deploy in this match. However, there will be goals and there will be a draw.

Serbia - Ghana (2-2)

Germany - Australia

Here is hoping that one favorite shows up and plays football properly and maybe manages to put away the weaker opposition. So Germany here is your chance, and I expect that they will deliver with a confident performance and win by 3 goals.

Germany - Australia (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

2-3

Group D Preview

Overview:

Injuries have unfortunately robbed Group D of two of the best holding midfielders in the game today, as both Ghana's Michael Essien and Germany's Michael Ballack will miss the World Cup with their respective injuries. Perhaps there just might be something in the water in North London. Regardless Group D sees Germany, Serbia, Ghana and Australia do battle for the coveted top two spots. Germany enters the tournament without their talisman captain Michael Ballack, who not only is injured but was recently kicked to the curb by Chelsea as his contract was not renewed. However, even with these problems the Germans still possess a highly organized team that is committed and always seems to rise to the challenge. The Germans will count on the youngsters Mesut Ozil and Marko Marin to provide some attacking flair for Joachim Low's squad. The Serbians  qualified for the World Cup ahead of France in their group and are favored to advance to the Round of 16. Nemanja Vidic, from Manchester United, is the captain and is part of a tremendous back four that will comprise the spine of the Serbian squad. The Serbs will also likely attack through the wings via the play of Milos Krasic and Milan Jovanovic. Jovanovic looks to be heading to Liverpool on a free transfer but with the dismissal of Rafa Benetiz perhaps Jovanovic will not push the transfer through on his end. The Black Stars of Ghana will undoubtedly be missing the services of their own captain Michael Essien. However, it should be noted that this team climbed to the final of the African Cup of Nations without their captain and with a very young squad. Asamoah Gyan, from the French club Rennes, is the key man upfront for the Black Stars and will be asked to shoulder the load. The Socceroos from Australia find themselves back in the World Cup for the first time in consecutive tournaments. Although the talent is not quite there for the Australians their tenacity and determination will make them a difficult out in South Africa. Keeper Mark Schwarzer from Fulham will expect to see plenty of shots but he does have the pedigree to keep the majority of them out of the net.

Players To Watch:

Germany - Bastian Schweinsteiger - Beyond having the greatest name in modern football, Schweinsteiger will be asked to be the key creative force for the German squad. He is a right-footed player that usually plays on the right wing but with the injury to Michael Ballack he could find himself in the middle of the park.

Ghana - Asamoah Gyan - Gyan must equal goals for Ghana for the Black Stars to have any hope of advancing to the Round of 16 considering the injury to Michael Essien. Gyan was Rennes' leading scorer during the past domestic campaign and his speed will play a major role for the Ghanaian attack.

Serbia - Neven Subotic - It would be easy to put Vidic as Serbia's player to watch, but rather his partner in the back line is the more intriguing story. Subotic actually had the chance to play for Germany, the United States and Serbia, so the match between the Serbs and Germans could test his young emotions.

Australia - Tim Cahill - If you love the little man with the big heart, then Tim Cahill is exactly your type of player. Cahill plays for Everton in the EPL and for a player with a short stature he scores the majority of his goals with his head. Cahill will be looked upon to lead the Aussies to the next round.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Germany

Serbia

Ghana

Australia