Boomers’ pool confirmed for Paris Olympics as daunting road to podium is unveiled

Clashes against an international arch-nemesis, an NBA-loaded outfit, and a team spearheaded by one of the game’s truly elite players – that’s what awaits the Boomers in Paris.

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is preparing for what he believes will be the “best ever” men’s Olympic basketball tournament in Paris but is confident his underdog Aussies can shock the world.

It won’t be easy for Australia to back up its Tokyo bronze and return to the podium after being pooled alongside three formidable nations in Group A.

The Boomers will take on international arch-nemesis Spain, an NBA-loaded Canada and a Greece side led by one of the world’s best players in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

It’s a daunting task but one Goorjian is embracing.

“In all of these pool games, you could play at an elite level and still lose,” Goorjian said.

“In turn, there isn’t a team there that we can’t beat.

“I don’t think there has been a better 12 teams in the men’s Olympic basketball.

“You walk in and you look at this thing and there is Team USA, France, Serbia and then you look at the team’s that haven’t qualified.

“Europe is an absolute animal and we’ve got Canada, who on talent is probably second to Team USA.

“The Canadians got the bronze medal at last year’s World Cup and now they’ve got Jamal Murray to add to this.

“Then there is Spain, who is an international powerhouse, and then it’s going to be Giannis with Greece.”

The Boomers’ draw for the Games was made official in the early hours of Monday morning when Greece and Spain had crucial qualifying wins.

NBA superstar Antetokounmpo dropped 23 points and added eight rebounds to help the Greeks record a comfortable 80-69 win over Croatia.

The Milwaukee Bucks forward was also named the MVP of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece.

Spain will join Australia and Greece in Group A after a hard-fought 86-78 win over the Bahamas to punch its ticket to Paris.

Giannis emotional after qualifying for Olympics 🥹💙

He leads Greece to their first Olympics since 2008 🇬🇷

(via @FIBA)pic.twitter.com/eM31ZxPoL2

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 7, 2024

The Spanish have long been arch rivals for the Boomers.

They beat the Australians for bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics and denied them a shot at a maiden gold medal following a heartbreaking double overtime win at the 2019 World Cup in China.

The Boomers will head into the Paris Games as underdogs but Goorjian is quietly confident.

Canada will have the NBA back court of Denver superstar Jamal Murray and rising OKC Thunder sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Boomers also have stars.

The likes of Josh Giddey, Dante Exum and internationally proven Patty Mills are determined to lead the Australians to a podium place.

All the on-court action tips off on July 27 when the Boomers take on Spain at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille from 7pm (AEST).