2019 FIBA World Cup preview: Danilo Gallinari’s Italian crew and top ranked Serbia headline Group D
The FIBA World Cup starts August 31 – September 15th. In preparation, TI breaks down each of the eight groups with Danilo Gallinari’s Italian squad who are in Group D up next.
With so many NBA players and quality ones at that Team Serbia is being earmarked as the favorites to win the 2019 FIBA World Cup. For OKC Thunder fans this grouping is of particular interest given Danilo Gallinari and his Italian team are also in Group D.
Watching games will be an adventure given the time difference so be sure to set up your recording devices as this group should offer some killer matches.
Angola Roster:
- Jose Antonio – Small Forward
- Olimpio Cipriano – Small Forward
- Jaques Conceicao – Guard
- Gerson Domingos – Point Guard
- Vander Joaquim – Center
- Gerson Lukeny – Point Guard
- Divaldo Mbunga – Forward/Center
- Eduardo Mingas – Power Forward
- Reggie Moore – Forward
- Carlos Morais – Guard
- Yanick Moreira – Center
- Leonel Paulo – Forward
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Philippines Roster:
- Japeth Aguilar – Forward/Center
- Raymond Almazan – Forward
- Mark Barroca – Point Guard
- Andray Blatche – Power Forward
- Robert Bolick – Guard
- June Mar Fajardo – Center
- Paul Lee Dalistan – Point Guard
- Gabe Norwood – Guard
- Jaymar Perez – Guard
- Roger Ray Pogoy – Guard
- Kiefer Isaac Ravena – Guard
- Jeth Troy Rosario – Forward
Italy Roster:
- Awudu Abass – Guard
- Marco Belinelli – Guard
- Paul Biligha – Center
- Jeff Brooks – Power Forward
- Gigi Datome – Small Forward
- Amedeo Della Valle – Guard
- Ariel Filloy – Small Forward
- Danilo Gallinari – Small Forward
- Alessandro Gentile – Small Forward
- Daniel Hackett – Guard
- Amedeo Tessitori – Center
- Luca Vitali – Point Guard
Serbia Roster:
- Stefan Bircevic – Power Forward
- Nemanja Bjelica – Power Forward
- Bogdan Bogdanovic – Shooting Guard
- Marko Guduric – Shooting Guard
- Nikola Jokic – Center
- Stefan Jovic – Guard
- Vladimir Lucic – Small Forward
- Boban Marjanovic – Center
- Vasilje Micic – Point Guard
- Nikola Milutinov – Center
- Miroslav Raduljica – Center
- Marko Simonovic – Small Forward
- Milos Teodosic – Point Guard
Group D schedule for round one:
Some powerhouses in this grouping will offer excellent viewing matches. Of note: Danilo Gallinari will play twice at 19:30 GMT and once at 15:30 GMT. For Gallo 15:30 game it equates to 11:30 a.m.EST (10:30 a.m. CST) and his two night matches playing at 19:30 p.m. GMT will air at 1:30 p.m. EST (12:30 p.m. CST).
August 31st:
Angola versus Serbia – 15:30 p.m. GMT +8
Philippines versus Italy – 19:30 p.m. GMT +8
September 2nd:
Italy versus Angola – 15:30 p.m. GMT +8
Serbia versus Philippines – 19:30 p.m. GMT +8
September 4th:
Angola versus Philippines – 15:30 p.m.GMT +8
Italy versus Serbia – 19:30 p.m. GMT +8
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Neither Angola or the Philippines have NBA players on their rosters although they do feature players with NBA experience. Conversely, Italy and Serbia have several NBA talents and quality ones at that.
Serbia is favored to beat the United States or at least give them a good run for their money. Gallo’s Italian squad are ranked 15th, the Philippines rank 18th while Angola ranks 31st. Based on these forecasts Serbia and Italy should advance to the second round.