The German basketball players have to do without their players from the Euroleague teams in the first of two World Cup qualifiers against Israel.
The players from Bayern Munich and Alba Berlin are missing from national coach Gordon Herbert’s squad of 14 professionals for the game in Israel on February 25 (1.30 p.m. / Magentasport) because both clubs were still challenged in the European premier class the day before.
For the second duel with the Israelis, who are still undefeated after two matchdays, on February 28 in Heidelberg, Herbert could nominate players from Munich or Berlin, provided the German Basketball Association reaches an agreement on a secondment with the two clubs.
“We are in talks with the clubs. We agree with the players, they want to play. Now I hope that we can also come to an agreement with the clubs,” said DBB Vice President Armin Andres.
Israel “first big challenge” according to Herbert
Initially, however, Herbert is largely relying on the squad that surprisingly lost to Estonia at the start of the World Cup qualifiers and then won in Poland. “We have good continuity from the last window despite injuries and despite some players in the Covid protocol,” said Herbert. “With the game in Israel, we have our first big challenge ahead of us.”
Herbert assembles his squad on Sunday in Frankfurt am Main, from where it then goes to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The top three in the group qualify for the next group stage. The World Cup will be held in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines in 2023.