Ok, I'll try some predictions for the Pool A.
52 Belarus -- 96 LuxembourgThe game which has no intrigue. The question is: How much? Let's see if inside oriented Belarus destroyes the worst by rating NT in Europe. Belarus has some injury troubles but still has Rakau
(8240002). Luxembourg is one of the NTs that can afford having 6th man potential player
(11109668)Last time Belarus has lost to Luxembourg few years ago, but this was the football match.
Belarus +35
50 Bulgaria -- 64 NorgeThe must-win game for Bulgaria as in case of loosing they will be left at the 6th place in the group this season, which is not good at all for them. Bulgaria is the other example of inside oriented team. This should be the tough game. Norway has nothing more to lose, they have the last game against Luxembourg and today they should obviously put CT. Bulgaria is in the difficult position here. Probably playing normal should be the best decision as they still have the battle with Belarus in the last round. TIE vs CT will defenitely mean Norway's victory. Normal vs TIE is more difficult to predict. Norway has some GS problems this time and their main hope is the superb defensive skills of all the players, guards especially. I'd choose
Norway beating Bulgaria with CT vs normal. Norway +2
24 Italia -- 33 Latvija
Ragans has 2 or 3 dull seasons with his club. They all are going to be dedicated to the training and collecting some cash. Having such a perspective the current B3 winner has decided to try and check his tactical abilities with the Nt Latvia. And he failed. The difficult win over Norway playing with the higher enthusiasm in the first round.. And upset after loss to the highly motivated Belarus. Looks like the community is not satisfied enough with the current performance. And nothing's gonna change after this game. Italy is too strong playing at home court.
2 italian 300k+ centers are a little bit ill and having only averahe GS, but they have good substitutes + the capitain Gabriele Turbato (
(6769986)). I don't think that Latvia with huge, extra-huge problems with the roster(2 injured, other top-salary players having GS=6-7) can do something..
Italy wins +30.And the most important game in this group during all the qualifying tournament:
25 Hrvatska -- 40 TürkiyeCroatia has the last game against Italia and they
must-win it in order to book the 2nd place. Turkey being led by GM-Lloyd meets unlucky Latvia in the last round and it should not make huge problems.
SO this game decides it all. I won't be surprised much if one or both of the teams play CT today.
Turkey has some out of GS players, but still good choise. Croatia has only 3 players in proficient GS and that makes Turkey the favourite of the game. Anyway, that's the manager's decisions that will decide how the game finishs. My prediction is Turkey to win +12.
This is too late probably, the games are starting in 30 minutes. But at least there will be smth to read during the big break ;)