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With the World Cup starting tomorrow, and the US of A not involved, some of you might be searching for a team to root for on the biggest stage in sports. Let the melting pot that is the Philadelphia 76ers guide you towards an allegiance.
AUSTRALIA
The Sixers have 2 and a half Australians on the squad. Ben Simmons and Jonah Bolden both hail from Australia, and head coach Brett Brown coached in the Australian league for 8 total years, and was the head coach of the Australian Olympic team in 2012.
Australia is in Group C along with France, Peru, and Denmark. According to OPTA Predictor, Australia has a 42% chance at making it out of the Group Stage. France is just about a shoe in to be on of the two qualifying teams, and both Peru and Denmark aren’t easy wins.
So if you’re a Simmons/Bolden/Brown stan, make sure to tune in and cheer their country on.
AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE:
Saturday, June 16th, 6 am EST vs France
Thursday, June 21st, 8 am EST vs Denmark
Tuesday, June 26th, 10 am EST vs Peru
FRANCE
Sticking with Group C, if you’re like me and love Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot a little too much, or you’ve been watching NSFW Mathias Lessort dunking montages too often, then France is your team. Of any Sixer connected team, France has the best odds to win the World Cup with a 9.9% chance at taking home the most coveted trophy in sports. France are the favorites to win behind Brazil, Germany, and Argentina.
Show some TLC for France and Vive Les Bleus!
FRANCE SCHEDULE:
Saturday, June 16th, 6 am EST vs Australia
Thursday, June 21st, 11 am EST vs Peru
Tuesday, June 26th, 10 am EST vs Denmark
CROATIA
Love the Homie? Then pay attention to Group D, one of, if not the hardest group in the World Cup. Although Croatia has the second best odds in the group to advance, they are packed in a very tough Group with Argentina, Nigeria, and Iceland.
If you want to hop on Dario Saric’s bandwagon, here’s your schedule below.
CROATIA SCHEDULE:
Saturday, June 16th, 3 pm EST vs Nigeria
Thursday, June 21st, 2 pm EST vs Argentina
Tuesday, June 26th, 2pm EST vs Iceland
SPAIN
Spain? Why Spain? Because Sergio Rodriguez!! El Chacho’s country sit just behind France with the best odds to win, at 8.9%. Spain and Portugal, neighbors by geography, also share the best odds to come out of Group B. So if, for whatever reason you miss Sergio, here’s Spain’s schedule too.
SPAIN SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 15th, 2 pm EST vs Portugal
Wednesday, June 20th, 2 pm EST vs Iran
Monday, June 25th, 2 pm EST vs Morocco
So choose your fighter! Will it be the frontrunner in France or Spain? A solid bet in Croatia? Or a Hail Mary in Australia. Bet wisely and responsibly and let’s watch soccer for a month! (or at least until Free Agency starts).