Basketball at Tokyo Olympics: Japan vs Spain Predictions, Preview, Line ups and Starting 5s – Monday, 26th July
Follow Us
Spain basketball team
Here is Japan vs Spain predictions ahead of their Olympic openers. As the Tokyo Olympics gains momentum, the basketball segment has commenced full-fledged. Japan and Spain will meet on Monday in their opening games. This will be Japan’s appearance after a long time. They have been a very underwhelming team in comparison to the rest of the teams in the Olympics. They will be playing after 1976 Olympics and are low ranked team in this Olympics.
On the other hand, Spain are one of the much celebrated sides in the tournament. Spain won the only meeting against Japan, which was a 2006 World Cup contest. Spain won the game by 49 points, winning every single quarter. However, Spain are the dominant side in the current match up. They are predominantly stronger team in their group as well. With veteran players, Spain will definitely put experience play against Japan.
Japan vs Spain Team Preview
Japan lacks experience in big time tournaments and did go winless in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Being the hosts and actually having fans in the stands would have probably been wonderful for Japan in terms of a confidence boost. As for the team itself, Japan will be led by Washington Wizards Rui Hachimura and Toronto Raptors Yuta Watanbe. Hachimura has established himself as a legit role player with upside and Watanbe is a quality defensive player who can knockdown the outside shot. Those two will be expected to do the heavy lifting for Japan, who also has two B League MVPs in Yuki Togashi and Makoto Hiejima.
Spain is considered the second best team in the field and is no stranger to bringing home hardware, which includes a gold medal in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Spain has never won gold in the Olympics, which is about the only thing left to accomplish on the basketball side. As for the roster, Spain has three active NBA players in Willy Hernangomez, Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol. There’s also five former NBA players on Team Span in Rudy Fernandez, Victor Claver, Sergio Rodriguez, Alex Abrines and Pau Gasol. Such experience will come in handy for the Spanish national team.
Japan vs Spain Line ups and Starting 5s
The Japanese tem will start with Rui Hachimura, Yuki Togashi, Makoto Heijima, Yuta Watanabe and Avi Schafer. Their go to rotational players will be Leo Vendrame, Kosuke Kanamaru, Yudai Baba, Gavin Edwards, Daiki Tanaka, Hugh Watanabe and Tenketsu Harimoto.
The Spanish team’s starters will be Xabier Lopez-Arostegui, Pau Gasol, Marc gasol, Willy Hernangomez and Ricky Rubio. Their substitution will be Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez, Dario Brizuela, Victor Claver, Carlos Alocen, Usman Garuba, Sergio Lull and Juancho Hernangomez.
Japan vs Spain Predictions
Spain has the edge across the board in this matchup with talent and experience. Japan lacks the depth and the big match experience to be taken too seriously in this tournament. However, we are seeing sluggish play early in this event and this could be a look ahead game for Spain with Argentina on deck. Japan will have one of the best players on the court as Rui Hachimura. Spain can easily glide across the Japanese roster and ensure their first victory. Watch the Japan vs Spain predictions and enjoy the match.
Also Read: Tokyo Olympics: Spain Basketball Team Prediction, Preview and Schedule
Stay Updated!
Sumeet Singh
(384 Articles Published)