FIBA Basketball World Cup: Group C Preview

There is one team in Group C that is going to capture all of the headlines in the host city of Bilbao: tournament favorites the USA, but that doesn't mean the Americans are going to be the only ones enjoying the party.

Finland, New Zealand, the Dominican Republic, Turkey and Ukraine make up the rest of the group, with Turkey and Ukraine favorites to make it to the next stage along with the Americans with one place to be battled for among the other three.

The decision by players such as LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, who will be part of the technical staff, not to play in Spain, means this USA squad is no 'Dream Team' but they should still have enough to go all the way to the final with the guards especially talented.
Perhaps the main enemy for the Americans is a lack of big international tournament experience given that among their forwards only Anthony Davis played in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

That inexperience is balanced by the experience of coach, Mike Krzyzewski: 'Coach K' as he is known has led the USA to two Olympic gold medals, the 2010 World title and the 2007 Tournament of the Americas.

Turkey were beaten finalists in 2010, but the past four years have seen them in decline, as witnessed by the two heavy defeats suffered against World Cup hosts Spain in recent preparation games.

They will miss the retired Hedo Turkoglu and the injured Ersan Ilyasova, which will put a lot of pressure on their NBA star, Omer Asik and their main aim in Bilbao will be to forget their disappointing 2013 Eurobasket performance.

The biggest star for Ukraine is probably coach, Mike Fratello, who has over 20 years experience in the NBA and who led them to sixth place in last year's Eurobasket.

Sergiy Gladyr and 'Pooh' Jeter will be the main attacking threat for the Ukranians, who also count on the giant Artem Pustovyi, former Phoenix Sun, Viacheslav Kravtsov and shooting guard, Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk to form the basis of their side.

Finland have made huge strides in recent years and that progress earned them a wildcard to the World Cup. The 'Wolfpack' will be cheered on by around 10,000 supporters looking to see the return of national hero Hanno Mottola.

Mottola leads a side that looks to play fast attacking basketball, with accurate guards and power under the net, which in part will be provided by Erik Murphy and the Finns could well be the surprise package..

New Zealand, the 'Tall Blacks' also harbor hopes of making the last 16 with a team led by the veteran, Kirk Penney, which counts on young talent such as Tai Webster, Isaac Fotu and Rob Loe.

The Dominican Republic return to the World Cup for the first time since 1978 with Jack Martinez and James Feldeine their standout players. (Cihan/Xinhua)