The Greek National Basketball team have been ranked third in the FIBA Power Rankings, ahead of the upcoming 2019 World Cup in China.
The Greek team is among the favourites to win the World Cup, after impressing everyone in their recent friendly matches.
Greece ranked third behind USA in the number one spot and Serbia in second place.
*Here is the full list:
- USA
- Serbia
- Greece
- Spain
- France
- Australia
- Argentina
- Nigeria
- Lithuania
- Turkey
- Italy
- Germany
- Brazil
- Poland
- China
- Puerto Rico
- Canada
- Russia
- Philippines
- Montenegro
Following the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Giannis Athinaiou during the last friendly match against Serbia, Vangelis Mantzaris will be stepping up to the national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
The Hellenic Basketball Federation released the following statement:
“Thanasis Skourtopoulos has chosen Vangelis Mantzaris to replace Giannis Athinaiou in the 12-man squad which will travel to China. After three days away, Mantzaris expressed his desire to return to the team when speaking to the coaches via a telephone call.
The relevant procedures have started in order for Mantzaris to begin training with the team again on Wednesday (21/8).
The last player to leave the team is Dinos Mitoglou after the Acropolis Eurobank Tournament.
Kostas Sloukas will remain in Athens to continue his daily recovery program, with a new assessment scheduled for tomorrow. A decision concerning his participation at the World Cup will then be taken.”
The 2019 FIBA World Cup will be hosted in China between August 31 and September 15.
Greece have been placed in Group F alongside Brazil, Montenegro and New Zealand.
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