The Boomers, ranked 11th in the world by FIBA, will tonight play the first of three games in Lyon in the Villeurbanne International Tournament against fellow world championship competitors in what is their last competition before travelling to Turkey for the world titles.
Australia will play games against Brazil (22 Aug), France (23 Aug) and Cote d’Ivoire (24 Aug), before heading to Turkey for the World Championships from 28 August to 12 September.
Brazil’s national roster features four NBA stars in Denver Nugget Néné Hilario, Leandro Barbosa of the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavalier Anderson Varejao and Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs.
The Brazilians will head into the match buoyed by the return from injury of Varejao , who suffered a sprained right ankle in a match against Spain on March 17.
Australia’s game against Brazil tips-off at 6:00PM local time (2:00AM Monday morning Australian time).
Click here to follow live statistics of the match.
Australia’s game against host nation France is scheduled for Monday at 8:30PM French time (4:30AM Tuesday morning in Australia).
The Boomers will then wrap up their pre-world championship preparation with a game against Cote d’Ivoire at 6:00PM on Tuesday (4:00AM Wednesday morning Australian time).
