2019世界盃前瞻，預賽H組 by FIBA - 籃球

Group H: Lithuania, Australia, Canada in fierce battle for supremacy
H組：立陶宛、澳洲及加拿大為晉級競爭激烈


29/08/2019 PREVIEW 5 MIN TO READ

DONGGUAN (China) - 'If all wishes were horses, all beggars would ride'. In
this specific case, all Group H teams would make it to the Knockout Phase of
the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 except only two slots are available.

"空想若能成真，就不會有窮人了"。在這個特殊情況下，所有身在H組的球隊都想進入到
2019世界盃的淘汰賽卻僅有兩個名額。


The old Scottish proverb holds some water as three table leaders in the
Qualifiers in their respective regions - Australia, Canada, Lithuania and
second placed Senegal eye a chance to be on the podium ultimately and at the
high table of excellence.

當有三隊在這次資格賽中是他們所在區域的小組第一時，這句蘇格蘭諺語是有所本的。
澳大利亞、加拿大和立陶宛都在資格賽以第一名晉級，而以第二名晉級的塞內加爾則是
在強敵環伺的這組找尋最終能擠進前三的機會。


Dubbed the Group of Death, Group H will certainly bring out the best in all
the sides, even though it would be easier for them to tone down their
expectations heading into an extremely tough Group Phase challenge.

被稱為死亡之組，H組肯定能在各方面帶來出色表現，雖然降低能在如此強的一組中出
線的期待對他們來說會比較簡單。



Team to beat: Lithuania
目標球隊：立陶宛

The 2014 Semi-Finalists have been mentioned as an outside contender for the
title and they do not shy away from this label. More than ever, this seems
like their time to shine, especially with the field looking a slight more
open than before.

這支2014年世界盃四強球隊被外界認為是冠軍熱門，他們也不排斥這個說法。比以往都
更好的狀況，這次似乎是他們準備發光的時刻，特別是這次戰場看起來比以前再開放點。


Head coach Dainius Adomaitis has put together a well balanced outfit with a
touch of experience and yet a display of youthful exuberance that is showing
signs of positive anxiety to do the job at the big stage but most importantly
to cross that line and qualify for their first Final at this level.

總教練Dainius Adomaitis整合了有經驗及展現年輕活力的打法，顯現出他們渴望在這個
大舞台表現，最重要的是能在小組出線，並能夠首次在世界盃晉級決賽。


With five players returning from the 2014 edition where they finished fourth,
the Baltic Giants will be looking to use that exposure to further force their
way onto the high table of world basketball.

有五名2014年世界盃第四名的成員，波羅的海巨人軍希望利用這個方向讓他們在世界籃球
進到更高水準。


In Jonas Valanciunas, they have a very experienced rim protector whose
rebounding numbers on both ends of the court are expected to give Lithuania a
fierce look when they come up against the big boys.

他們擁有Jonas Valanciunas這個經驗豐富的護框球員，並期待他攻守兩端的籃板數能讓
立陶宛在面對高大球員時看起來更加兇悍。


Along with World Cup debutant Domantas Sabonis and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, the
Lithuania paint will be somewhat a battleground more inclined to the Green
Machine if their preparation games are anything to go by.

另外還有世界盃首度亮相的Domantas Sabonis和Mindaugas Kuzminskas，依照熱身賽的狀
況，立陶宛的禁區將是戰場。


Overall, Lithuania's back court led by veteran point guard Mantas Kalnietis
will make for a good sight especially in the face of quality opposition.

而立陶宛的後場由老將控衛Mantas Kalnietis帶領，在面對高強度對手會表現得更好。


Now is the time for Lithuania to make a big announcement no matter their
opponents along the way. At least that is what they believe - to take one
game at a time.

現在是立陶宛發布重要聲明的時候了，無論他們的對手是誰，至少都有機會一戰。



Another team to beat: Australia
另一支目標球隊：澳洲

Yes, that makes it two teams to beat - it's the Group of Death after all.
After defeating USA in a friendly game, the Boomers are definitely walking
around with a bounce and one cannot blame them.

沒錯，死亡之組裡面有兩支目標球隊。在友誼賽中擊敗美國隊後，澳洲隊

With an in-form Patty Mills, the domineering Andrew Bogut looking great and
Matthew Dellavedova unapologetically dominating on both ends of the court,
Australia look like the deal. Joe Ingles completes the scoring merchant
lineup for the Boomers core setup but they do have their work cut out.

表現出色的Patty Mills，佔據主導地位的Andrew Bogut，主宰攻守兩端的Matthew
Dellavedova，澳洲看起來很棒。Joe Ingles成為陣中的得分機器，澳洲隊的核心已經
做好準備。


With a squad averaging 30 years at this event being one of the oldest and for
all the talent they have produced over the years, this is easily one of their
best squads assembled in recent years.

平均30歲的年齡，是這次賽會年紀最大的球隊之一，但他們的才能將能擊退歲月，這是他
們近年來最好的陣容。



FIBA World Ranking, presented by NIKE
WORLD RANK COUNTRY ZONE RANK IOC CURRENT POINTS
6. Lithuania 4. LTU 623.0
11. Australia 1. AUS 515.0
23. Canada 8. CAN 400.2
37. Senegal 2. SEN 269.4



Key matchup: Lithuania v Australia
關鍵賽事：立陶宛 對 澳洲

Lithuania's biggest threat is expected to be in the form of Australia. The
Boomers have a 2-1 win ratio against the Baltic Giants at the World Cup with
the latest coming at this competition back in 2014 at the Group Phase level.

立陶宛最大的對手是澳洲。澳洲在世界盃歷史上與立陶宛有2勝1敗的對戰紀錄，上次是
在2014年的小組賽階段。


However, a lot has changed in the past five years and Lithuania look ready to
effect revenge this time round especially when a lot is on the line. The
winner of this tie will go a long way in determining who will emerge as the
table leader ultimately.

但五年間改變了許多，立陶宛這次做了充足的準備。這場對戰的勝隊將決定小組龍頭。


Canada are not far off in terms of the quality of opposition they will bring
to the table. In Kevin Pangos, the Road Warriors will be looking to live up
to their name and record their best performance at the World Cup by chasing
for the podium places.

加拿大距離強大的小組對手並不遙遠。公路勇士軍擁有Kevin Pangos，不會辜負他們的名
聲，並尋求站上頒獎台寫下他們世界盃的隊史最佳成績。


Pangos, who won two Lithuanian championships while plying his trade for
Zalgiris, will be coming up against familiar foes and just when they look
thin, he has proven he will fit into this void and deliver at least as per
the preparation games.

在Zalgiris拿下兩次立陶宛冠軍的Pangos，將面對熟悉的敵人，他在熱身賽證明了
他有這個能耐。


Senegal may look like outsiders in this Group of Death but with the
leadership of Maurice Ndour and Hamady Ndiaye, they maintain a chance to
upset the big boys.

塞爾加爾在死亡之組看來有點突兀，但他們由Maurice Ndour和Hamady Ndiaye領軍，
有點機會對抗這些強敵。



Star of the group: Jonas Valanciunas
本組球星：Jonas Valanciunas

https://youtu.be/8FKm-x4h98I


To put it simply, Valanciunas is a man-mountain. One inch short of being a
seven footer, the Lithuanian center poses a real threat to anyone trying to
score against his side. No other player commands such presence in Group H as
him.

簡單來說，Valanciunas是座山。距離七呎只有一吋，這位立陶宛中鋒對任何想在他面
前得分的對手都構成威脅。沒有其他H組的球員像他這樣的存在。


His numbers last season with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA speak of a man
that means business. He knows what is at stake and understands what it means
to wear the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. He has been there, done that
at junior level.

他上季在NBA曼菲斯灰熊隊的表現顯示了他是懂商業的人。他知道利害關係並把整個國家
的希望擔負在肩上。他在那完成了初階任務。


Averaging 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game for the Grizzlies sent out
an early warning that when he gets to the court in Dongguan, it will be
nothing but to protect Lithuania's rim and to make every possession count.

在灰熊場均貢獻19.9分和10.7個籃板，在他來到東莞賽場前送出了早期警告，他將保護
立陶宛的籃框並讓每次球權有效得分。



Top prospect: Domantas Sabonis
最佳新秀：Domantas Sabonis

When your father is a member of the FIBA Basketball Hall of Fame, standards
tend to be very high back at home and the chase to leave your father's shadow
defines you for a lifetime. Domantas is on such a journey. His father Arvydas
Sabonis was inducted in 2010 when he was 14 years of age but as Domantas
embarks on a promising road to define himself, the China edition presents a
perfect opportunity.

當你的父親是FIBA名人堂的一員時，在家裡的標準肯定會很高，且追尋離開你父親的陰影
將影響你一輩子。Domantas就在經歷這過程。他的父親Arvydas Sabonis在2010年他14歲
時入選，隨著Domantas走上一條定義自己的路，在中國的世界盃提供他絕佳的機會。


In a weird turn of events, so much is expected of a World Cup debutant than
never seen before. The left-handed center whose exploits at junior level have
produced more than sparks for Lithuania is expected to replicate the same
form at senior level. He showed that already at the FIBA EuroBasket 2015 as
well as the Rio 2016 Olympics. He has since grown in leaps and bounds and the
World Cup in China presents a perfect opportunity to do his magic and take
the world by storm at the biggest stage.

奇怪的是，對世界盃首度亮相的期待比以往都要多喔。這位左撇子中鋒在青年層級的豐功
偉業立陶宛創造許多火花，並被期待能在成人等級帶來一樣的模式。他已經在2015FIBA
歐洲盃和2016里約奧運展現這點。他有飛躍式的成長，而中國世界盃提供了他一個絕佳的
機會讓他展現他的魔力風靡世界。



Familiar face: Maurice Ndour
熟悉的面孔：Maurice Ndour

As the captain of the Senegal team, Ndour will be leading the West Africans
to their fifth appearance at this stage. Playing at his second World Cup, the
27-year old is coming to China with massive experience having led by example
during the African Qualifiers. If not for his contributions on the statistics
sheet then it will be for his dreadlocks that make his standout from the rest
of the crowd.

身為塞內加爾的隊長，Ndour將帶領這支西非球隊第五度在這舞台現身。參與他的第二次
世界盃，這位27歲的球員在非洲區資格賽期間以身作則，帶著豐富的經驗來到中國。如果
不是因為他數據表上的貢獻，那麼就是他的長辮子讓他在人群中如此顯眼。


His leadership skills have already been tested during the preparation for
China and he has passed the test already. At 2.06m (6ft 9in) , Ndour will
provide cover in the paint and has what it takes to deal with the other big
men in their opponents camp.

他的領導技巧已經在中國的熱身賽中受到測試，而他也通過測試。有著2.06公尺(6呎9吋)
的身高，Ndour將保護油漆區，並處理對方陣營的那些大個子。


His personality makes for a true fighter - one who is ready to die for his
country even literally but most notably is that he has mastered the art of
bringing his teammates together even though they have had less than a month
to prepare for the biggest basketball showpiece in the world.

他的個性讓他成為一位真正的鬥士─一位準備好為他的國家而死的人，即使只是字面上
說法，但最值得注意的是他已經掌握了如何帶領隊友的藝術，儘管他們只有不到一個月
的時間來準備這個世界上最大的籃球賽事。


While Ndour may have a larger role to play in China for his team, no one in
Group H can match Lithuania's Paulius Jankunas in terms of World Cup
appearances, with the 35-year-old power forward entering his fourth edition
of the flagship event, each under a different coach.

雖然Ndour在中國可能需要為球隊扮演更重要的角色，但在H組沒有人能和立陶宛Paulius
Jankunas在世界盃相提並論，這位35歲的大前鋒將來到他的第四次旗艦賽事，而每次都是
跟隨不同教練。



FIBA https://tinyurl.com/FIBAWC-H

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