Les Bleus undefeated, rewarded with...

...a quarterfinal matchup with Spain. Lucky them.

The quarterfinal round leaves us with four pretty damn good games, and a situation where it seems any of the eight remaining teams can legitimately win this thing. Turkey-Greece is a great rivalry, and one which ought to see two relatively evenly matched sides go at each other. Serbia and Russia are two sides meant to be weaker than in the past, but yet both find themselves with a very good chance of qualifying for the World Basketball Championship. Slovenia and Croatia are two underrated sides that, while inconsistent, can challenge any team in Europe when they play to their capabilities

But the previously mentioned game between France and Spain is the undoubted highlight of this round. Possibly the two strongest sides in the competition, this could just as easily be a final. But the loser of this game will find themselves very close to missing out on an automatic qualifying spot for next year's World Basketball Championship, and so this will be a hotly contested matchup. In terms of talent, Spain seem to have the edge, just as they do in every game of this competition. But France's staunch defense and the electric play of Tony Parker will provide the inconsistent Spaniards with a stern test, and if they don't play to their abilities the French could embarrass them. No matter what, it should be a fun game.

...Group C

GREAT BRITAIN


Alright, honestly? They're fucked. They got Pops to come in, which is a plus, but these guys got beat down in just about every friendly. They'll take their lumps as they wait for Britishy Gordon and Luol Deng to come in for 2012.

Their roster: The roster: Kieron Achara (Angelico Bella), Robert Archibald (Unicaja), Andrew Betts (Aris Thessaloniki), Flinder Boyd (Beirasar Rosalia), Daniel Clark (Estudiantes), Germanyne Forbes (BBC Nyon), Joel Freeland (Unicaja), Nick George (Gravelines Dunkerque), Jarrett Hart (Keravnos), Mike Lenzly (Harem Scafati), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors), Nate Reinking (Dexia Mons-Hainaut), Justin Robinson (Rider University), Andrew Sullivan (CSK VVS Samara).

SERBIA


They're missing a bunch of guys, but still expect this team to make an impression in Poland. They'll look to shoot from outside regularly, and if they get hot they'll be a pain in the ass for everyone. They start out with Spain, and it wouldn't complete shock me to see them pull off an upset. But, ultimately, I don't think this squad has what it takes to get to the final four, and they're one of a few teams that will likely be fighting hard for those last couple WBC spots.

Their roster: Nemanja Bjelica (KK Crvena Zvezda), Nenad Krstic (Oklahoma City Thunder), Milan Macvan (KK Hemofarm), Stefan Markovic (KK Hemofarm), Ivan Paunic (Base Oostende), Kosta Perovic (Valencia), Bojan Popovic (Lietuvos Rytas), Miroslav Raduljica (Unicaja), Milos Teodosic (Olympiacos), Milenko Tepic (Panathinaikos), Uros Tripkovic (DKV Joventut), Novica Velickovic (Real Madrid).


SLOVENIA


There are some names on this roster, enough to make me think Slovenia could put it all together and find themselves a contender for the top 6. But there's also evidence that this could be a team that just shits the bed, and does little more than beat a weak British squad. I'm not sure I'd be overly surprised by any set of results this team puts together, but considering most of the news that's recently come out of their camp has been negative, I'll go ahead and say I sort of expect them to blow it.

Their roster: Primoz Brezec (Philadelphia 76ers); Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns); Jurica Golemac (Lottomatica Roma); Goran Jagodnik (Hemofarm Vrsac); Jaka Klobucar (Union Olimpija); Jaka Lakovic (FC Barcelona); Domen Lorbek (last season with Benetton Treviso); Erazem Lorbek (FC Barcelona); Bostjan Nachbar (Efes Pilsen); Uros Slokar (Fortitudo Bologna); Matjaz Smodis (CSKA Moscow); Samo Udrih (CB Estudiantes).

SPAIN


Well, these guys might be okay.

After mostly blowing through all their opponents in a long series of friendlies on home soil, they got beat down by Lithuania a few days, which has raised some doubts about their ability to play in tough situations. But look at the fucking roster. There's just so much talent...it's a hard to believe they won't be able to put it all together. I'm expecting them to come through and win the damn thing, but there will likely be a couple hiccups along the way.

Their roster: Carlos Cabezas (Khimki Moscow region); Victor Claver (Valencia); Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers); Jorge Garbajosa (Real Madrid); Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies); Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers); Raul Lopez (Khimki Moscow region); Sergio Llull (Real Madrid); Alex Mumbru (CB Bilbao Berri); Ricky Rubio (FC Barcelona); Juan Carlos Navarro (FC Barcelona); Felipe Reyes (Real Madrid).