The match schedule for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, in March this year, has been published for quite a while, but it seems appropriate, as it's now less than seven weeks away, to focus on the schedule for the three teams from the Home Nations. Both England and Scotland's Men's teams begin their quest at Bendigo, 125 Km outside Melbourne, on 16th and 17th March respectively. England face Barbados in that first match, but the Scots have the unenviable task of taking on the hosts, Australia, the following day. Not that England will be able to take things easily, as their second game, on Saturday, sees them face up to New Zealand. The "Tall Blacks", like their near-neighbours (well, "near" in terms of that part of the world, anyway) Australia are among the top 24 basketball nations in the world, and will already be looking forward to their August visit to Japan for the World Championships! That second game is also in Bendigo, but England's final Preliminary Round match is at another of the Regional Centres, Ballarat, just 100 Km from the city. There they take on the not inconsiderable team from South Africa. Meanwhile, Scotland will have faced India, in Geelong on Sunday, before returning to Bendigo on Monday to take on Nigeria (who will also be playing their second game in consecutive days). If either (or both) of England or Scotland fail to finish in the top two in their Group, they then face a further game on Tuesday 21st March, either at Melbourne Park or Geelong, as the 5th-8th place Classification process begins. In these cross-over games teams from Scotland's group will be at a distinct disadvantage, as they will be playing their third game in as many days, while for their opponents it will be "only" their second in two! For the teams qualifying from the groups, the semi-finals are on Wednesday 22nd March, with the Bronze Medal game and Final on 24th. Teams involved in the 5th-8th Classification play their final match on the Thursday. All these games are at Melbourne Park. England's Women are in a group with Mozambique, India and hosts Australia, and they have the opportunity of sampling three separate venues - Tralagon (on the opposite side of Melbourne) Ballarat and Geelong.
Full details of the Commonwealth Games may be found at their website, http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Channels/. The full Basketball Calendar is published at http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/Competition+Schedule/Schedules+and+Prices/By+Sport/Basketball/
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|