Germany’s basketball players want to make the group victory perfect in the final preliminary round game against host Finland, also in order to achieve the best possible constellation for the further way through the tournament.
In Tampere, ice hockey is clearly the number one sport, this can also be seen on the streets of the city. On the advertising posters, at tram stops, Lauri Markkanen, the Finnish NBA star. But otherwise the faces of Matia’s Mätykivi and Jens Lööke, top player of the local ice hockey club Ilves.
Tampere even has two clubs in the first Finnish league. Also in the large, modern arena, one of the venues of the preliminary round of the basketball championship, you quickly notice that the basketball players are actually only guests here: there is another play area in the catacombs of the arena, complete with ice hockey gang, which serves as a training hall.
Basketball hype in Finland – also the President comes
In the days of the European Championship preliminary round, the sports enthusiasts also discovered their heart for basketball: on Monday evening, when playing against the basketball grandmother Lithuania, the arena full of 13,000 spectators was bubbling. Even the president was honor. With every successful basket of Team Suomi, the hall exploded – the jubilation could not have been louder if Finland’s ice hockey cracks had scored a goal against Sweden.
It was definitely not due to their fans that the Finns had to take the first defeat at the European Championship. Rather on the excellently coordinated defensive of the Lithuanians, which Finland’s leader Markkanen held in the first half with very manageable seven points. Even the 18-year-old posterboy Miikka Muurinen, who caused enthusiasm with a monster duck at the opening game, was not a factor this time.
Group victory important for DBB team – also for the further tournament
The coaching team of the German basketball players, which was sitting directly on the edge of the field, was given good visual material how to successfully slow down the game of the Finn. On Wednesday evening (7.30 p.m.), the DBB team will meet the host in the final group game – a tricky game, not only because of the tolerating atmosphere to be expected in the hall. It is about the group victory that the German basketball players have set themselves as a clear goal, also because it is of great importance for the further way through the tournament.
The crossing group, which puts the German opponent in the round of 16, left the strongest impression in the preliminary round with Vice Olympic champion Serbia, Turkey and Latvia. The Latvians also have the home advantage in the Ko round in Riga. The DBB team should probably avoid these three teams as the group first, and meet the fourth of the group in the round of 16, probably Estonia or Portugal. In addition, the top favorite Serbia, with NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, could probably only meet the DBB team as the preliminary round first in a possible final.
In a win against Finland, the previously unbeaten German team would finally secure place one after the preliminary round. Even a defeat with up to ten points could end up in the end to land in direct comparison before Finland and Lithuania.
DBB coach Ibrahimagic: “Can’t allow us to be weakened”
Alan Ibrahimagic, who is also represented at the preliminary round finals, represented the national coach Alex Mumbru, made the clear goal of scoring the group victory without any computing games in the back: “The team is still clear in what they do”, Ibrahimagic said in the media round before the game against Finland. The Finns are a team that is one “Do not leave rest for a second, neither offensive nor defensive because they are constantly on the move”, so brahimagic. “We cannot allow ourselves to be weakened. Otherwise everything we have developed so far will be worthless”The DBB coach also said with a view to the KO games that the DBB team should lead to the final.
Germany’s basketball players have played in the role of the EM favorite with their impressive offensive game. In each of the four games so far, the DBB team has always scored at least 20 points per quarter, and even broken the 30 points mark in six quarters. Scoring qualities that make it difficult for every opponent. And the few negligence that occurs in the meantime, for example in rebounding, so far more than betting.
While, for example, the game of the Finns is essentially about their Star Markkanen and the second scoring option Mikael Jantunen, the German team has demonstrated in the course of the tournament so far that in addition to the two ceremonial masters Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner, other players can also provide valuable energy, impulses and points at any time.
Tristan da Silva with a breakthrough at the DBB team
Against Lithuania it was Daniel Theis who played big. Tristan da Silva used the game against Great Britain for his breakthrough in the DBB jersey. “It felt great”said the newcomer to the national team, who was ennobled by captain Schröder on the offensive as “beast”. Schröder, like the older brother Oscar da Silva, had advised him to play more instinct and to attack the basket more often. The backing of the team’s leader helps tremendously, said Tristan da Silva.
Before the Finland game, the man from the Orlando Magic also asked to continue to focus and not to be blinded by the four high victories. “If we lose the next two games, then we are outside. Then it doesn’t help us anymore that the games before won with 60 points.”
EM -out for Voigtmann – even more responsibility for Bonga
A weakening, also for the further path through the tournament, should certainly be the failure of Vice captain Johannes Voigtmann. Ibrahimagic spoke of one “Tart blow”he emphasized Voigtmann’s great value for the team away from the field, with his “Quiet and determination“. Voigtmann is a big man with playmaker qualities, one of the “The best passer in Europe in its position. This has always brought us a few extra points in the past.”
For Voigtmann’s place in the starting line -up, Isaac Bonga is planned, who has already taken over this in two preliminary round games. Bonga, who has improved again at Partizan Belgrade, has so far shone with his strong distance and above all with its variability in defense.
National coach Mumbru in Riga
At the round of 16 in Riga, Alex Mumbru could also take over at the European Championship for the first time, the national coach is still recovering from his five -day hospital stay. However, the Spaniard took part in team meetings again and also gave the impression in the team hotel as if he were better. Good news, before the last game in the Finnish tampere.