Fourth in Rio at the 2016 Olympic Games then at the 2019 World Cup, and finally bronze medalist at the last Tokyo Olympics, Australia is approaching the World Cup with great ambitions. Even if Jock Landale had to withdraw at the end of preparation and their interior sector is very light, the Boomers still have a hell of a roster, between Patty Mills, Dyson Daniels, Dante Exum, Josh Giddey, Josh Green, Matisse Thybulle or again Joe Ingles, and they present a collective always well oiled. As an ultimate life-size test, they beat France this morning (78-74).
No overconfidence
Before the match, coach Brian Goorjian had confirmed that Australia were going to the World Cup to go all the way. Any result other than the final victory would thus be considered a failure.
“It’s easy to settle for fine words, but we’ve put ourselves in a position over the last ten years to be able to knock on that door. And we don’t want to take a step back now, when the whole country wants this gold medal., he said in particular.
If the battle is open enough, Australia will not approach the competition with excess of confidence.
While it will face Japan at home, Finland and Germany in Group E, Brian Goorjian does not particularly see his team dominating the debates.
“Usually, in your group, there is always a team that we feel as dominant, but in our group, this is not the case”, he pointed out. “Playing Japan in Japan, with the coach they have, who I have huge respect for (Tom Hovasse)… it’s scary. Moreover, Finland and Germany are among the elite. Our hen is therefore very difficult ”.
To complete its preparation, Australia will play a last friendly match this Tuesday, against Georgia.
