The powerhouse United States, among the top basketball teams in the world, takes on Iran, which toppled China to become the Asian champion. The relationship between the US and Iran became tense after a hostage crisis in 1979, when 52 US citizens were held hostage for more than a year by a group of Islamic students and militants who took over the US Embassy in support of the Iranian revolution. The nations continue to clash over several issues -- including security-related issues. As the FIBA World Basketball Championship continues with its fifth day of games today, they have another reason to clash. The US and Iran meet at İstanbul’s Abdi İpekçi Arena at 7 p.m.
Despite lacking most of their NBA superstars and missing all players who helped them to win gold in the 2008 Olympic Games, the young US team, ranked second in the FIBA standings, is still one of the main attractions and among the top favorites of the tournament. After three games, the American team, featuring Kevin Durant -- the NBA’s leading scorer -- and Chauncey Billups, is undefeated. In their debut game of the tournament, the Americans outclassed Croatia 106-78, and then defeated Slovenia 99-77 to take a second straight victory. The first real challenge to the Americans was Monday’s match against Brazil. A small two-point margin of victory (70-68) proved that the competition’s medals will not be served to the US on a silver platter.
Iran, on the other hand, has one victory in Group B. It lost its first two games to Brazil and Croatia but beat Tunisia 71-58 on Monday.
In this evening’s game, where the US definitely has the upper hand on paper, the Americans will want to slam Iran. A US victory will also mean it will get its revenge for a football match between the two nations, in which Iran defeated the US with a historic 2-1 score that led to a holiday in Tehran. Iran will rise above their normal efforts, most probably to keep their dignity against their powerful opponent at Abdi İpekçi Arena.
In other Group B encounters, Croatia faces Tunisia, and Brazil takes on Slovenia. Other games of the day include Group A encounters between Serbia and Australia, Argentina and Amman, and Germany and Angola at Kayseri’s Kadir Has Arena. Group D matches put Lithuania against France, Lebanon against Spain and Canada against New Zealand at İzmir’s Halkapınar Arena.
