BOOMERS AIMING TO FINISH UNBEATEN AT HOME IN FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

Australia will be aiming to consolidate their position on top of Group F while also finishing undefeated at home through the Asian Qualifiers before they travel to Kazakhstan and Iran in the sixth and final window in February.

“Everyone is in good shape after the win on Friday night and in good spirits having qualifyied for the 2019 FIBA World Cup,” said head coach Andrej Lemanis.

“They rightly took a lot of pride from that but now we turn our attentions to Qatar.”‘

“It doesn’t really feel like we’ve qualified yet because we still have games to go but it has been a different and new process that we’ve all enjoyed and it is nice to have that locked away,” added Jason Cadee, one of four Boomers to have featured in every FIBA World Cup qualifier.

“It feels like we’re a club team away from a club team. We see similar faces, we have a great chemistry and we really enjoy the times through the year when we get to come back together.”

To celebrate the Boomers’ qualification through to the 2019 FIBA World Cup, tickets for Monday’s game start from $10 children and just $20.19* for adults. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door when they open at 6.00pm.

*Bronze and silver categories

This is the second meeting between the two teams after Australia prevailed against Qatar in September, 95-43.

Despite that, coach Lemanis says there are always things the team is working on.

“We want to play well no matter what the situation and that’s what has been so pleasing with this group is their attention to detail and commitment to the task at hand,” he said.

“What we’ve done so far defensively has been wonderful, we’ve locked in at that end of the floor and that’s what I expect from us against Qatar.”

Cadee echoed those sentiments on behalf of the playing group.

“We still need to build on what we have done and now it’s about finishing on top of the group and on top of Asia.

“That includes winning on Monday night and in the final window next February, playing the right way and really building for what is an exciting few years ahead for Australian basketball.”

If you can’t make it to Margaret Court Arena on Monday night, catch the game LIVE on FOX Sports Australia channel 505 from 7.30pm AEDT.

The Australian Boomers team vs. Qatar:

The Australian Boomers FIBA World Cup Qualifiers Schedule (times AEDT):

First Window:
November 24, 2017: Australia def. Chinese Taipei (104-66)
November 27, 2017: Australia def. Japan (82-58)
Second Window:
February 22: Australia def. Philippines (84-68)
February 25: Australia def. Chinese Taipei (88-68)
Third Window: 
June 29: Australia def. by Japan (78-79)
July 2: Australia def. Philippines (89-53)
Fourth Window:
September 14: Australia def. Qatar (95-43)
September 17: Australia def. Kazakhstan (94-41)
Fifth Window:
November 30: Australia def. Iran (76-47)
December 3: Australia vs. Qatar at Margaret Court Arena at 7.30pm
Sixth Window:
February 21: Australia at Kazakhstan. Time TBA.
February 24: Australia at Iran. Time TBA.

The post BOOMERS AIMING TO FINISH UNBEATEN AT HOME IN FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS appeared first on Basketball Australia.

Following the Australian Boomers’ victory over Iran on Friday night at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena, which saw them officially book a place at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, the Boomers now host Qatar on Monday at 7.30pm in their final qualifier at home.

The post BOOMERS AIMING TO FINISH UNBEATEN AT HOME IN FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS appeared first on Basketball Australia.