The first country to win its ticket to the Olympic Games in this World Cup, Australia does not intend to let go of the accelerator, and the teammates of Josh Giddey begin the second group stage against Slovenia on Friday. Already beaten by Germany, the “Boomers” have no choice: to be sure of their destiny, they will have to win their two matches to reach the quarter-finals. First against Slovenia, then against Georgia.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun” warns Josh Giddey about his duel against Luka Doncic. “Obviously a lot of people are here to see him play. He bears a heavy load with Slovenia, and a big part of our game plan will be centered on him, as it was the case against Finland with Lauri Markkanen and Yuta Watanabe against Japan.
“We have Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle to do the job”
Australia have no shortage of good defenders and they have an element in Josh Green who knows Doncic very well.
“We’ve had the opportunity to play against teams around a superstar or an NBA player, and although Luka is obviously on a higher level, we have Josh Green and Matisse Thybulle, and those kind of guys, to do the job. We will be ready. »
On a personal level, Josh Giddey almost killed the race for the competition’s best youngster trophy. The Thunder point guard is averaging 19 points, 7.3 assists and 5 rebounds, and at just 20 years old, it’s up to him to establish himself as Australia’s boss.
“It comes with experience, and playing matches with these guys” he continues. “A lot of us had never played together before. It was evident during the warm-up matches. The more time we spend together in the field, the more things will become clearer. Slowly, it gets better and better, and you start to find a better rhythm in attack, and you anticipate actions better. It comes with time, but it gets better and better. We want it to be perfect for the end of the tournament.
Provided you get out of this second group stage.
