Germany’s basketball players get an extra boost of self-confidence for the home European Championship with the unexpectedly sovereign victory against European Championship favorites Slovenia. Shortly before the start of the European Championship in your own country (September 1 to September 18, 2022), things are also looking a little more positive with the other open questions.
National coach Gordon Herbert did what he had to do: First of all, he cooled down the mood: “We’ll enjoy this for a moment and then move on to work“, said Herbert on Sunday evening (08/28/2022) after the 90:71 win against Slovenia.
But despite this sober statement, one thing is clear: the rather unexpected success in the last endurance test before the European Championship against the defending champion with superstar Luka Doncic gave the German team a good boost of confidence for the upcoming home European Championship. Young star Franz Wagner summed up the atmosphere in the German team as follows. “That’s going to be really cool.“
The victory against one of the tournament favorites, who, unlike the weakened German team, also started with a full band, also suddenly changed the media perception of Germany’s basketball players: The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” promptly included Herbert’s team among the favorites for the upcoming European Championship finals Home games in Cologne and Berlin.
Mood before the 2020 World Cup as a reminder
But the national coach may also remember that the selection of the German Basketball Association (DBB), exactly two years ago to the day, at that time still instructed by Henrik Rödl, had recorded a deceptive victory against Australia in the last endurance test before the World Cup.
The team around Dennis Schröder thought they were on the right track back then, only to come down to earth all the harder in the subsequent knockout round.
The victory against the Slovenians should have provided important insights, if only because it wasn’t a friendly game: it was about points in the World Cup qualification.
And unlike the qualifying win against the mainly offensively limited Swedes three days earlier, the German team was able to prove that they are not only able to hold their own against top teams like Slovenia, but also to successfully give them the fun of the game take.
German defense strong against Doncic and Co.
The DBB team showed a strong performance, especially on the defensive, also because of the freshly naturalized Nick Weiler-Babb well received in the team.
The 26-year-old, also one of the outstanding defensive players at FC Bayern, played his part in Slovenia’s leader Doncic stopping at 23 points in the end, a value that is quite acceptable for the opponent with an offensive machine like Doncic, which you can never completely can take out of the game.
In addition, the German team grabbed more than twice as many rebounds like the Slovenes. Always an important, unmistakable statistic in basketball because it shows how many second shot chances you create in attack – or take them away from the opponent in your own basket. national coach Herbert then also emphasized the defensive performance as a decisive factor.
It was also optimistic that leader Schröder had apparently recovered from his ankle injury and was able to show off his speed again. The long-distance shooters are also finding their rhythm better, in time for the start of the tournament.
First and foremost Andreas Obst, who hit four of seven shots from beyond the three-point line against Slovenia. Johannes Voigtmann sank three of seven threes.
Franz Wagner strong as a bear during the preparation for the European Championship
Good odds of “downtown” should also be a decisive factor in the European Championship. Especially since Daniel Theis’ use is still questionable and the national coach is also trying to make the team tactically more variable.
Already tried against Sweden Herbert again and again moves in which the throwing “strong”big men“Like Voigtmann, don’t move into the zone after blocking, but away from the basket in the direction of the three-point line to get a free throwing position there.
A move that can also run over Franz Wagner, who has been extremely strong so far, and could be an effective variant in attack at the European Championship.
Especially if Daniel Theis, who had to sit out with a knee injury during the pre-season, should really be out and the German team would be thinly manned under the basket, especially when it comes to the top teams with world-class centers.
Theis still open – decision on Tuesday
The personnel of Theis is still the biggest question mark before the EM. Especially as an anchor on the defensive, the center, who made it into the NBA finals with Boston, can hardly be replaced. Especially since the German team has to complain about other failures in the big positions like Maxi Kleber, Isaiah Hartenstein and Tibor Pleiss.
The national coach will probably also make the nomination of his final twelve-man squad for the European Championship dependent on whether Theis has cured his knee problems at least enough to be able to play the tournament.
EM opener on Thursday against France
A decision on this was announced for Tuesday. Theis had to sit out the last four games in preparation and have his knee treated in Munich, but said on the sidelines of the game against Slovenia on Sunday that he was “very confident” that the European Championship participation would work out.
On Thursday evening, France, a top favorite, awaits at the start of the European Championships in Cologne. Led by NBA star Rudy Gobert, a 2.16 meter giant. The DBB team could certainly use someone like Theis.