The 2023 edition has been full of surprises with defending champion Spain, world number three Australia and highly fancied France all eliminated before the Quarter Finals stage.
Just eight teams remain in the hunt to be crowned international basketball world champions, as the FIBA Men’s World Cup 2023 reaches the Quarter Finals stage live and exclusive on ESPN from Tuesday September 5.
The FIBA Men’s World Cup 2023 is wide open and championship hopes go on the line as the Finals begin Tuesday September 5 on ESPN.
United States came into the tournament as favourites, but having tasted defeat in their final Second Round game, they are no guarantee to reclaim the world crown with Germany, Lithuania, Canada and Slovenia mounting charges.
Tuesday September 5will see Lithuania tackle Serbia, live on ESPN at6.30pm AEST in the first Quarter Final.
Lithuania sent a message to the basketball world, with a stunning 110-104 victory over the United States in the second round to go five for five at the FIBA Men’s World Cup 2023.
Stars Vaidas Kariniauskas and Mindaugas Kuzminskas did the damage against the USA, and will hope to repeat the dose against their European rivals, Serbia.
Serbia fell to eventual runners-up Argentina at this very stage of the 2019 FIBA World Cup and have yet to find their groove after finishing second in Pool I.
Also live on ESPN at 10.30pm AEST Tuesday, Team USA will face Italy in the second Quarter Final.
USA will need to respond following the shock loss to Lithuania, the first in 10 games for Team USA. The United States had already secured passage to the Quarter Finals before Sunday’s defeat, but they can ill afford any slipups with it being do-or-die basketball from here on out.
Italy have never reached the last eight at the FIBA World Cup, and will hope to spring another surprise, riding off the back of three straight victories.
Wednesday September 6 brings another two Quarter Final games back to back live on ESPN.
Germany meet Latvia in the Third Quarter Final, live at6.30pm AEST Wednesday.
The Germans have impressed many in the tournament so far, and have yet to drop a game at the FIBA World Cup 2023 – seeing off a stellar lineup of Japan, Finland, Australia, Georgia and Slovenia.
Dennis Shroder looks in ominous form for Germany, following 24 points and 10 assists against Slovenia.
Latvia have been the Cinderella story, reaching the Quarter Final stage in their debut FIBA World Cup. Their eye catching basketball has won many admirers to this point, but they will be a significant underdog come Wednesday.
The fourth Quarter final is live at 10.30pm AEST Wednesday and will see Canada and Slovenia battle in out, in arguably the pick of the last eight action.
Canada eliminated the reigning FIBA Men’s World Champions, Spain in a tense 88-85 win on Sunday AEST, and their stock continues to grow with every game, courtesy of a squad brimming with NBA talent.
This is their first time in the Quarter Finals since 1994 and it has Canadians dreaming of a medal.
Slovenia have their own NBA star in Luka Doncic, but they have proven to be inconsistent this tournament. They showed class in downing Australia comfortably in second round action, but were trounced emphatically by Germany last time out.
The FIBA World Cup Men’s 2023 Semi Final games will be live and exclusive on Friday September 8, with the first Semi Final tipping off at 6.45pm AEST, and the second following live at 10.40pm AEST.
The Bronze Medal Game and Championship Game will be live and exclusive Sunday September 10.
The Bronze Medal Game will be live at 6.30pm AEST, before the FIBA Men’s World Cup 2023 Championship Game follows at 10.40pm AEST – both live on ESPN.
ESPN’s star FIBA World Cup team of Neroli Meadows, Trevor Gleeson, Kane Pitman, Bec Allen, Olgun Uluc and John Casey bring in-depth analysis and will have every angle covered of the FIBA World Cup Finals.
Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze joins the ESPN team in-studio for the FIBA Men’s World Cup Finals action and will link with John Casey and Trevor Gleeson to complete a stellar expert commentary team.
In a major win for Australian sporting fans, all Quarter Finals, Semi Finals, Third Place Game and the FIBA World Cup Final will be made available LIVE and FREE on ESPN via Kayo Freebies – which does not require a subscription.
Kayo Freebies can be accessed by downloading the Kayo Sports app or visiting www.kayosports.com.au/freebies
To unlock the action, fans simply create an account the same way they would for free-to-air streaming apps. Kayo Freebies is free to access, with no credit card details required.
All ESPN listed games will also be available on Foxtel, Kayo and Fetch TV.
FIBA World Cup 2023 – Finals Schedule
Tuesday September 5
6.30pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Quarter Final: Lithuania vs Serbia, ESPN
10pm AEST, World Cup Live, ESPN
10.30pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Quarter Final: United States vs Italy, ESPN
Wednesday September 6
6.30pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Quarter Final: Germany vs Latvia, ESPN
10.30pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Quarter Final: Canada vs Slovenia, ESPN
Friday September 8
6pm AEST, World Cup Live, ESPN
6.45pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Semi Final 1, ESPN
10pm AEST, World Cup Live, ESPN
10.40pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Semi Final 2, ESPN
Sunday September 10
6pm AEST, World Cup Live, ESPN
6.30pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Bronze Medal Game, ESPN
10pm AEST, World Cup Live, ESPN
10.40pm AEST, FIBA Men’s World Cup Championship Game, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
