Croatia vs New Zealand: Analysis and Prediction – Croatia and New Zealand will play in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Round 2.
Croatia vs New Zealand Odds
Croatia Team News
Croatia started their Olympic Qualifying campaign in spectacular fashion, demolishing Slovenia with a 108:92 win. This win positions them strongly to finish the group stage in the top spot, which would ease their path to the final, likely setting up a rematch with Slovenia or a clash with hosts Greece.
It’s been a long time since the Croatian basketball team experienced major success. Their last notable achievement was qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games, a highlight in the past decade. Now, they have an opportunity to replicate that feat. Head coach Josip Sesar seems to have built excellent team chemistry, and the squad boasts significant talent with players like Mario Hezonja, Ivica Zubac, Dario Saric and Jaleen Smith. While the bench may lack high-profile names, each player has been given a role that fits them perfectly, enabling even those outside the main rotation to make valuable contributions. That was the case with Goran Filipovic and Toni Nakic against Slovenia.
Croatia will secure the top spot in their group if they defeat New Zealand. This would likely set up a semifinal against the Dominican Republic, paving a smoother route to the final and a potential ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris. This motivation should drive them to deliver another strong performance.
New Zealand Team News
New Zealand didn’t have luck with draw as they find itself in a tough group with Croatia and Slovenia, needing at least one victory to qualify for the semifinals. However, their prospects in Greece this July seem bleak.
It’s been 20 years since New Zealand last appeared at the Olympic Games, and it’s unlikely that this negative drought will end soon. The current generation doesn’t match the quality of the teams built around legends like Pero Cameron, and the Tall Blacks have rarely impressed in recent times. Finn Delany and Reuben Te Rangi were standout performers at last year’s FIBA World Cup and are expected to lead the charge once again. Shea Ili and veteran Corey Webster are also capable contributors, while starting center Yanni Wetzell, from Alba Berlin, is their most prominent player. All these players will need to be at their peak for New Zealand to have any chance.
There’s no doubt that Croatia’s level is far superior to New Zealand’s. However, the Tall Blacks do have Wetzell, who can match up against Croatia’s centers for parts of the game, and they possess a couple of players capable of shooting well from distance. This could be enough to keep them in the game for some time.
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Croatia vs New Zealand H2H
This will be the first official game between Croatia and New Zealand.
Absences and Injuries
For Croatia, notable absentees include Bojan Bogdanovic, Luka Samanic, Ante Zizic, Luka Bozic and Karlo Matkovic. New Zealand has no significant injury concerns.
Croatia vs New Zealand Prediction
Croatia’s game against Slovenia ended late last night, with less than 18 hours between their two matches. New Zealand will be fresher and more rested, which is a significant factor. Croatia knows that even a minimal victory will secure the top spot, so it’s not unreasonable to expect that players like Hezonja, Saric and Zubac might get some rest in the second half if the lead becomes comfortable. Given these circumstances, it’s plausible that New Zealand will put up a strong fight despite Croatia’s dominant performance against a much stronger Slovenia the night before.
Tip-off Time: Wednesday, 03.07.2024, 16:30 CET
Prediction: New Zealand +22.5
Odds: 1.84
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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