2023 FIBA World Cup Australia vs Finland Match Preview

With the weight of expectation surrounding Australian basketball heavier than it has ever been before, the trials and tribulations of the Australian basketball team is attracting the attention of the biggest and best betting sites.

Housed in the ‘Group of Death’, Australia know they will need to be at their best against Finland, Germany, and co-hosts Japan to have any chance of making the last 16.
First up are Finland, a side that do have some impressive individual talents and they have caught the eye with many international betting sites.

Having finished 4th at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and backing it up with a bronze medal at the Olympics, there is a feeling that this Australian side is on the cusp of something special at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

With 10 NBA players in their midst, this Australian squad is as strong as any before it and they will be hoping to hit the ground running here against Finland.

Nullifying any Finnish threat will be key for the Boomers, as they look to assert their style on the contest from the off at the Okinawa Arena. 

Finland

This is only the second time in which the Finnish men’s basketball team have reached the World Cup and they will be eager to spring a few surprises with some betting apps.

Failing to make it out of the group stages back at the 2014 FIBA World Cup will be seen as a learning curve for the Finns, who do have a stronger look to them in 2023.

Fresh off the back of a 7th place finish in the European Championships in 2022, Finland should be full of confidence and star centre Lauri Markkanen continues to impress in the NBA. 

They will know the pressure is on Australia for this one and they could revel in their role as underdogs.

Both Australia and Finland have been experimenting with their respective squads, with the 2023 FIBA World Cup very much on their minds.

Australia Form

Last 5 Matches:

• vs France – 78-74 (W)
• vs South Sudan – 88-67 (W)
• vs Brazil – 86-90 (L)
• vs Venezuela – 97-41 (W)
• vs Kazakhstan – 98-53 (W)

Finland Form

Last 5 Matches:

• vs Latvia – 57-94 (L)
• vs Lithuania – 80-84 (L)
• vs Estonia – 86-80 (W)
• vs Lithuania – 81-79 (W)
• vs Germany – 81-87 (L)

Australia

As mentioned, this current crop of Australian players has certainly caught the attention of the major online betting platforms down under.

A squad packed with NBA stars such as Xavier Cooks, Dante Exum and Jock Landale, the Boomers truly have an abundance of riches.

Finland

With the domestic game in Finland continuing to grow, there aren’t too many household names within the Finnish squad but that doesn’t mean they don’t carry a threat.

Lauri Markkanen will carry the major threat from the middle of the court, but the likes of Mikael Jantunen and Shawn Huff can cause plenty of damage too

Opening up a World Cup campaign is never easy and both Australia and Finland will want to feel their way into proceedings here in Okinawa.

Result: Australia to win the match

Finland are going to make life tough for Australia from the outset, but the Boomers are very experienced at this level, and they should have too much firepower for this plucky Finnish side.

Best Bet: Australia to win the match at $1.30 with Bet365.

This should be a fantastic opener for both Australia and Finland at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, which should see plenty of traction with old and new betting sites.

Finland have plenty of good players and will not roll over easily, but Australia are a strong side, who will be looking to send out a statement from the off.