Even if the qualification for the 2024 Olympics is acquired, Australia missed its World Cup. The Boomers had ambitions, desires for the podium, but the defeat against Slovenia deprives them of going further than the second round.
After the one against Germany, it’s a second setback in this competition against a big car. The step was obviously too high for this team which never managed to find its identity.
“It’s obviously disappointing”book Josh Giddey at ESPN. “We knew that, before this meeting, we had to win it to keep our chances of a medal. I said it at the start of the tournament, these bad starts to the match against good teams weigh us down. We were behind the whole game, trying to come back. »
How to explain this failure? Because Australia has not found its defensive identity because it has to integrate a young generation with the old. Josh Giddey and Josh Green are coming with their talent but they don’t have the power yet. Will they have it at the Olympic Games in Paris?
“The youth of this team is very real”says coach Brian Goorjian. “We change our style of play, both offensively and defensively. There will be big decisions to be made and I like what I have in front of me. »
Jock Landale and Ben Simmons more in 2024?
The absence of Jock Landale (injured in the ankle) obviously weighed, the weakness of the interior sector (as well as the lack of long distance shooters) having been a problem. The interior will logically be back next year and we will also have to think of Ben Simmons, who has assured that he wants to participate in the Olympic adventure, but who has never played a major international competition.
Will Brian Goorjian succeed in finding the balance between young and old? Besides, is he the man of the situation for Australia, while his contract went to the World Cup?
“I always said that we had to do what was best for the country,” says the Australian coach. “I had to coach this competition and now that it is over, am I still in the best position for the future? I want us to move forward. I know that if I leave, the next one will come from my staff: there is Matty Nielsen, Adam Caporn, David Patrick. Things will move forward and continue with the same elements. »
