“What a tournament we have had in Jakarta, Okinawa, and Manila,” Zagklis told a press conference on the final day of the 19th World Cup. “It was a tournament spread out for the first time over three countries; a tournament that also had to be prepared during Covid; a tournament that saw two great venues being constructed – in Jakarta and Okinawa, the renovation of Araneta Coliseum, the beautiful Mall of Asia Arena and the Philippines Arena that set the World Cup record of 38,115 spectators.”

The attendance for the World Cup is expected to break the 700,000 mark with Okinawa averaging 85 percent occupancy and games in Jakarta being more than 60 percent filled. The final numbers for the games in the Philippines will come after the final games.

Andreas Zagklis disclosed some broadcast market share figures as the Japan versus Cape Verde game was the most-watched program – not sports program but any program – in the country this year. There was more than 40 percent market share for Slovenia versus Canada, almost 35 percent market for South Sudan against Puerto Rico, and more than 25 percent market share for Lithuania versus Serbia.

The engagement on FIBA’s social media accounts was spectacular. Through the penultimate day, there were more than 10 billion impressions – double the amount from China 2019. The engagement was also doubled at 260 million. The 2023 World Cup three times tripled the video views.

“That is important because the images are what inspire the people and what makes the next generation want to grab a ball,” said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, who added that within two and a half weeks, the FIBA social media accounts added 2 million new followers.

The 2023 World Cup also was a major step forward in the experience for the players. What started at China 2019, there was a dedicated program for the players from the 32 teams. All the players stayed in single rooms at the hotels.

There were dedicated player lounges with a former player in charge as the liaison between the players, the teams, and the organizing committees. Former players also served as advisers on how to build those players spaces, which included amenities ranging from their own dedicated bar to a barber shop in every players hotel.

Players Commission Chairman Dirk Nowitzki also visited the players hotels in Okinawa and Manila and provided feedback to FIBA about any adjustments to make during the tournament.

“Players who have played three, four, five World Cups said they have never experienced such conditions before,” Andreas Zagklis said. “We are very happy when our players are happy.”

The link between the World Cup and qualifying either directly or indirectly for the 2024 Olympics added extra drama, even further down the classification games.

“I really congratulated my team for the competition format. It was not only who wins the Naismith Trophy, it was not only who goes for the medals; it was not only who goes for the direct Olympic spot, it was then who gets the direct OQT spot.

“At the end of the day, the last game Philippines versus China was about the OQT spot because being 22nd or 29th makes a big difference. Same for New Zealand versus Egypt. They were playing a 17-32 last classification game and they were giving their all,” he said.

“I don’t think any other World Championship or World Cup in any other sport has at this late stage of the classification games so much interest and so much meaningful games.”

Andreas Zagklis also discussed next summer’s OQTs and clarified there are no rules that the four tournaments must be spread out among different continents. The hosts must be one of the 24 teams and the Central Board will make the decision.

“The rules do not require us to spread them around. In terms of policy, it would be good to spread them around to more than just one continent, if we have candidatures from several countries. But we need to see what kind of candidatures we get, what types of conditions. You see how important it is for us to have high-level conditions for our players,” Zagklis said,

FIBA Secretary General also clarified that no prize money will be handed out to countries for performance at the World Cup.

“There is no prize money for the World Cup. FIBA is supporting the federations in covering a lot of their costs.  We have directly or indirectly contributed more than 80 million Swiss francs to the federations for their costs over the four years,” he said.

FIBA has one of the biggest insurance programs in sports – the same conditions for men and women players; and it also covers 3×3 and wheelchair basketball players. For the next cycle, FIBA  has budgeted more than 15 million Swiss francs for just the FIBA players insurance.

FIBA also contributed 50 thousand Swiss francs to every federation for their preparation costs for the 2023 World Cup.

“That came off the back of the Spain World Cup (2014) when we started the road to China when we started to understand that the clubs – both NBA and FIBA clubs – have been upgrading the services for the players. So our federations in the preparations had really high costs,” he said.

The top 16 countries who stayed longer in the tournament received another 100 thousand to help cover the federation’s very high amount of expenses.

“The Central Board has decided there is no prize money for national team competitions. What we generate in terms of resources – as a non-profit organization – is distributed according to our development programs and other distribution mechanisms across all 212 members of FIBA,” Andreas Zagklis said.

Looking ahead to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, FIBA Secretary General said fans should be excited that Qatar is hosting the event.

“Qatar is very committed, and I think it will be a dream for the fans. You know where to go. You can book your tickets and hotels. Yes, it’s going to be hot, but it’s going to be a tremendous basketball experience for those who love basketball. You will be able to see all the best players in the world in one city across four venues,” he said.

Andreas Zagklis also expressed FIBA’s condolences to the Dominican Republic basketball family as well as the loved ones of team physiotherapist Bladimir Regaldo, who died from a heart attack on the way back home from the World Cup. He also wished a speedy recovery to Serbian forward Borisa Simanic, who lost a kidney and needed emergency surgery midway through the tournament.

Credit: FIBA

Semi-Finals

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Semi-Finals will all take place on Friday, September 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

September 8

• SRB v CAN – 16:45 Local Time (08:45 GMT)
• USA v GER – 20:40 Local Time (12:40 GMT)

Serbia v Canada

The 2014 runners-up Serbia have booked tickets to the Semi-Finals for the third time in the last four tournaments.

Canada have already made history by securing their first-ever top-four finish.

Serbia and Canada have never played against each other.

USA v Germany

Germany have reached the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2002 when they finished third. The five-time champs USA have advanced to the top four for the 15th time.

Germany have never beaten USA in six encounters – including three World Cups (1986, 2002, 2006).

The complete FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 final phrase bracket is here.

Credit: FIBA

Quarter-Finals
The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Quarter-Finals will all take place on Wednesday and Thursday, September 5 and 6.

September 5

• LTU v SRB – 16:45 Local Time (08:45 GMT)
• ITA v USA – 20:40 Local Time (12:40 GMT)

 September 6

• GER v LAT – 16:45 Local Time (08:45 GMT)
• CAN v SLO – 20:30 Local Time (12:30 GMT)

Lithuania v Serbia
The 2010 third-place finishers Lithuania have not lost at the 2023 tournament and enter the Quarter-Finals with the momentum of beating the United States. Serbia bounced back from their loss to Italy to reach the top eight for the fourth straight time, including second place in 2014.

Italy v USA
Italy will face the USA after taking first place in the Second Round while the Americans will be hungry to bounce back from their loss to Lithuania to end the group stage. Five-time world champions USA hold a 12-2 all-time advantage over Italy.

Germany v Latvia
Germany have booked a top-eight spot for the first time since 2006 while Latvia have reached the Quarter-Finals in their debut. Germany has a 3-2 advantage all-time over Latvia, winning the last matchup at the FIBA EuroBasket 2011.

Canada v Slovenia
Canada reached the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1994 and will be facing Slovenia, who are in the top eight for a third straight tournament. Slovenia and Canada have faced off just once – the Europeans winning in the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The complete FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 final phrase bracket is here.

Credit: FIBA

A staggering 38,115 fans were inside the Philippine Arena to watch the tournament co-hosts Philippines match up against the Dominican Republic in the Group A clash.

While the number of spectators was measurable in the venue, the breathtaking levels of passion and intensity shown by supporters were simply off the charts.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Chairman, Richard Carrion stated: “We all knew the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 was going to be special and within the first day we already have evidence of this, having witnessed this historic moment.

“Everyone inside the Philippine Arena will never forget the amazing levels of love for both basketball and the Philippines national team that was cascading around the venue.

“This is just the start for what will be the most memorable event in FIBA’s history and we’re all excited for what lies ahead – both on and off the court. Not only in the Philippines, but also in Japan and Indonesia.”

“Ever since we put in the bid to host the World Cup in 2015, the mission was to showcase the Filipino people’s love for basketball”, stated SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.

“We often say we’re the best fans in the world, but beating the old FIBA attendance record has proven what we have believed all along.”

To the 38,115 fans at the Philippine Arena, thank you. The world definitely heard us.

The previous record for a FIBA Basketball World Cup game in an indoor arena dates back to the World Cup 1994 Final in Toronto, Canada, when 32,616 spectators witnessed the victory of Dream Team 2 at the SkyDome.

Philippine president Ferdinand Marco Jr and FIBA President Hamane Niang were in attendance to witness this historical moment.

Credit: FIBA

Gasol made a huge splash at his first World Cup in 2002 in Indianapolis, leading Spain to fifth place. He ended up as the tournament’s sixth leading scorer, averaging more than 19 points per game.

Gasol’s biggest moment with Spain came when he spearheaded his country’s run to glory at the 2006 World Cup in Japan. He was so prolific, averaging 21.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 63.1 percent from the field, that he was named MVP of the event despite having to miss the Final because of injury.

In his last World Cup appearance on home soil in 2014, Gasol led Spain to six straight wins before the hosts were upset by France in the Quarter-Finals. He had been so good in the tournament that Gasol again made the All-Star Five.

In all, Gasol played at three World Cups, five Olympics and seven FIBA EuroBaskets.

He helped Spain win silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and then bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

In the history of the EuroBasket, Gasol is one of the most decorated players. At the EuroBaskets in 2009 and 2015, he was the MVP as Spain captured titles. In 2011, he was in the All-Star Five as his national team also reached the top of the podium.

Gasol was in the All-Star Five when Spain finished runners-up at EuroBaskets 2003 and 2007 and when Spain were third in 2001 and 2017.
Even as a member of Spain’s youth teams, Gasol competed and had success. He helped his country beat the USA in the Final of the 1999 World Championship for Junior Men.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, Gasol, who has joined Argentina superstar Luis Scola as a World Cup Global Ambassador, knows a lot has to go right for the eventual winners.

“The World Cup is the toughest trophy in basketball to win,” Gasol said. “A winning team needs character and chemistry and teammates who will pick you up when you’re down.”

“This is a great honor for me to be a part of such a great team of basketball legends and to join Luis Scola, a true legend and one of my toughest rivals, in this role as Global Ambassador for the 2023 World Cup.”

Gasol was a wonderful representative for the game during his playing days and has been since his retirement after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Only several months ago, he served as FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Ambassador and was courtside in Sydney, supporting and promoting women’s basketball. He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. Gasol is an advisor, investor and activist in projects related to sports and well-being.

Credit: AIPS