FIBA World Cup Group E Preview: Boomers Expect to Top Group of Death

• Group E may be the FIBA World Cup's most competitive group
• Australia are the favorites to win Group E
• Group E will play their matches at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa City, Japan

Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup will present a fiercely competitive group with some of the world's top basketball talent. Australia, fondly known as the Boomers, are the clear favorites to win the group and are expected to make a deep run in the tournament.

Challenging for the top spot in Group E is Germany. Ranked 11th in the FIBA Rankings, Germany has put forward their most talented squad since earning the bronze medal in 2002. Expect a deep run from Germany, whose versatility should give even the most formidable teams problems.

The last two members of Group E are Finland and Japan. Finland earned their second berth in the FIBA Basketball World Cup after failing to qualify in 2019. Japan qualified as co-hosts but will have the benefit of home-court advantage.

Odds to Win Group E at the FIBA World Cup

Odds taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on August 15, 2023.

Group E Schedule

25 August 2023: Finland vs Australia (4:00 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

25 August 2023: Germany vs Japan (8:10 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

27 August 2023: Australia vs Germany (4:30 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

27 August 2023: Japan vs Finland (8:10 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

29 August 2023: Germany vs Finland (3:30 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

29 August 2023: Australia vs Japan (7:10 AM EST)

• Where: Okinawa Arena, Okinawa City, Japan

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Who Is the Favorite to Win Group E at the FIBA World Cup?

Australia (-205)

FIBA World Ranking: 3

Odds to win the World Cup: +850 BET HERE

Odds to win Group E: -205 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 13

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 40-53 (.430)

Best World Cup Finish: 4 (2019)

Head Coach: Brian Goorjian

Key Players: Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Josh Giddey

NBA Players: Xavier Cooks (WAS), Dyson Daniels (NOP), Dante Exum (DAL), Josh Giddey (OKC), Josh Green (DAL), Joe Ingles (ORL), Jock Landale (HOU), Patty Mills (ATL), Matisse Thybulle (POR), Jack White (OKC)

The Boomers have qualified for their fifth consecutive FIBA Basketball World Cup, and they've put forward another incredibly talented roster. Australia were dominant through the qualification period and the FIBA Asia Cup, confirming their presence in the FIBA World Cup with a qualification window to go. With one of their strongest-ever rosters, the Boomers have their sights set on the first podium finish in their history.

Once again, the Boomers will be led by scoring ace Patty Mills when they tip off their tournament in Okinawa City. He'll be supported by fellow NBA player Josh Giddey and longtime Boomers forward Joe Ingles. While they'll be missing point guard, Ben Simmons, Australia has talent like Matisse Thybulle, Jock Landale, and Matthew Dellavedova.

Australia is expected to top the group and make a deep run into the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Group E is one of the tournament's strongest, so how they fare in the first round will tell of their chances in the later stages. Expect the Boomers to win Group E.

Who are the Contenders to Win Group E at the FIBA World Cup?

Germany (+230)

FIBA World Ranking: 11

Odds to win the World Cup: +2700 BET HERE

Odds to win Group E: +230 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 7

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 24-17 (.585)

Best World Cup Finish: 3 (2002)

Head Coach: Gordon Herbert

Key Players: Dennis Schroder, Franz Wagner, Daniel Theis

NBA Players: Dennis Schroder (TOR), Daniel Theis (IND), Franz Wagner (ORL), Moritz Wagner (ORL)

Germany has looked impressive through qualifiers and exhibitions and now enters the FIBA Basketball World Cup with one of their most promising rosters. Loaded with NBA and European talent, Germany qualified for the FIBA Basketball World Cup with a window to spare. Led by Canadian head coach Gord Herbert, Germany's hopes for the 2023 World Cup are high.

Toronto Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder will lead the team, whose pace and two-way play have helped Die Mannschaft to their recent success. The Wagner brothers, Franz and Mortiz, and critical role players Daniel Theis and Isaac Bonga support him.

Germany is a long, athletic team that can score the ball from inside and outside. Some key contributors need more experience, but their athleticism has helped them keep pace with some of the most competitive national sides despite their shortcomings. Germany could surprise for the top spot, but it'd likely come down to their matchup with Australia.

Finland (+1060)

FIBA World Ranking: 24

Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group E: +1060 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 2

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 1-4 (.200)

Best World Cup Finish: 22 (2014)

Head Coach: Lassi Tuovi

Key Players: Lauri Markkanen, Sasu Salin, Mikael Jantunen

NBA Players: Lauri Markkanen (UTA)

After failing to qualify for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, following their first-ever appearance in 2014, Finland entered the 2023 tournament with a point to prove. Their motivation to qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was on display, as they became the first European team to earn a berth at the tournament!

Leading Susijengi at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be Utah Jazz forward and 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen. He'll be supported by captain and sharpshooter Sasu Salin, the only player in the squad to participate in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Depth certainly isn't in favor of Finland, but they have some exciting prospects in Federico Federkio and Olivier Nkamhoua, who ply their trade in the NCAA.

Finland has a tough group when they line up against Australia, Germany, and hosts Japan. While they are fielding a golden generation of players, Finland is still short of Australia and Germany in overall talent. Anything is possible behind a star like Markkanen, but it's a long shot to see Finland at the top of the group.

Japan (+2500)

FIBA World Ranking: 36

Odds to win the World Cup: +37000 BET HERE

Odds to win Group E: +2500 BET HERE

FIBA World Cup Appearances: 6

FIBA World Cup All-Time Record: 5-26 (.161)

Best World Cup Finish: 11 (1967)

Head Coach: Tom Hovasse

Key Players: Yuta Watanabe, Yudai Baba, Yuki Kawamura

NBA Players: Yuta Watanabe (PHO)

Co-hosts Japan round out Group E at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. While they were provided the benefit of home-court advantage, they were awarded what is widely considered the 2023 FIBA World Cup's group of death. Only a few expect Japan to escape the group with a victory.

Leading Akatsuki Faibu will be the consistent pair of Yuta Watanabe and Yudai Baba. While Japan lacks its top talent in Rui Hachimura, they'll expect more production from their remaining stars and Yuki Kawamura. There are questions about who will handle the paint, with longtime contributor Nick Fazekas, young center Matthew Aquino, and former NCAA forward Josh Hawkinson all in contention to make the team.

While they're pleased to host the group, Japan's chances of winning Group E are slim. Expect Akatsuki Faibu to put great effort on home soil but ultimately fall short against the European giants of Group E.