The German basketball players go to the European Championship with great ambitions and a lot of self-confidence, but must exist against Montenegro against Montenegro at the opening game on Wednesday (from 3:30 p.m. in the live ticker on Sportschau.de) without the national coach at short notice.
At the end of the first training session in Finnish Tampere, the German basketball players gathered on the middle circle, for a video selfie: Tristan da Silva sent a greeting from the team to the national coach via his cell phone. Alex Mumbru was missing due to an acute infection on the first relaxed unit after the arrival.
On Tuesday morning, Mumbru even had to go to inpatient treatment for provision, as the German Basketball Association (DBB) announced. The national coach is now much better, it said from the DBB. The Spaniard will miss the European Championship opening game against Montenegro, his assistant Alan Ibrahimagic is supposed to represent him as a head coach.
“Everyone had to shake up”said the interim coach at the press conference in the team hotel, but emphasized directly: “The great advantage is that the team has been together for a long time and has a lot of experience. You will put it away. Of course we are in my thoughts with the coach, but we will manage to focus on the task of playing.”
The DBB did not want to make any statements about when the Spaniard could join the team again. After the kick -off against Montenegro on Wednesday, the second preliminary round game against Sweden is coming up on Friday. Johannes Thiemann spoke of one “Unusual situation”. However, the team is strong enough to catch up with the head coach’s failure.
DBB newcomer Tristan da Silva: anticipation for the European Championship start
For the DBB team, Mumbrus fails a day before the European Championship start in an otherwise successful preparation. Tristan da Silva, who made his debut in the national team this summer, also emphasized the role of the national coach in the Sportschau interview: “It attaches importance to a strong team chemistry, on good cohesion, everyone should feel good “said Da Silva and spoke of a good atmosphere before the start. “We are very happy. The anticipation with us players is definitely there. The tingling comes when the games start.“
Da Silva is considered one of the discoveries of preparation. His place in the squad seemed safe early, also because he can play several positions in the rotation and can be used in many ways in defense. The 24-year-old has a considerable first NBA-Season at the Orlando Magic Played, alongside Franz Wagner.
At the European Championship he is one of three new players at the national team. His older brother Oscar da Silva from FC Bayern, who has been nominated several times in the past, also made it to the final squad for a big tournament for the first time. “We don’t spend much time together within the season“, Tristan da Silva said at the Sportschau-Microphone.”I play in America, he in Europe. Now we can play the summer together and spend time together, which is very special.“
The brothers da Silva can be taken as an example of how well the DBB team manages to integrate new players. Nine world champions of Manila are in the 12-man squad for the European Championship after David Krämer received no release from his new club Real Madrid shortly before the start. The failure of Moritz Wagner, after a knee injury, has long been determined. Nevertheless, the DBB team left a strong and stable impression in preparation, apart from the usual starting difficulties.
DBB team with a lot Self -confidence After strong preparation
How comfortable the situation for the national basketball team is recently seen in the preparation in the games against Spain. The European champion, always one of the top candidates for years, has to struggle with the upheaval after the departure of stars like Rudy Fernandez or Ricky Rubio.
The DBB team, on the other hand, can continue to rely on its well-rehearsed core and strengthen the team with talents such as Tristan da Silva and other internationally experienced actors from the Euroleague. The two victories against European champions Spain, with a dominant appearance, have once again confirmed confidence in their own strength at the German team before the tournament.
New system – also for Schröder and Wagner
The team also managed the system adjustments that the new national coach made in the four weeks of preparation. Mumbru lets the team play on the offensive of variable and above all at more speed: After opposing corbers’ successes or their own rebound, the field is to be bridged faster in the so -called “transition” and the conclusion is to be sought before the opposing defense has positioned itself.
A philosophy that comes towards the two exceptional players in the team, Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner: Schröder can always press the accelerator pedal. And Wagner can also play his big strengths offensive when he is looking for the direct path under the basket. With his fast attacks in the zone, the Berliner is difficult to stop, as was always impressive in preparation.
DBB star Franz Wagner on the way to the basket
First place in the preliminary round as a goal
If you compare the teams at the European Championship, the German team should have the second strongest squad behind the top favorite Serbia. The DBB team also assumed the only defeat against the Serbs, who compete with NBA star Nikola Jokic and almost in the best line-up. For this reason alone, it should be the claim to conclude the preliminary round group in Tampere first, this would also be important for the further way through the tournament: As a group winner, you would probably only meet the Serbs in the final.
Kick off against Montenegro, Lithuania as the heaviest opponent
Overall, the tournament tableau appears cheap for the Mumbru team, especially in the preliminary round it could have been worse: the opponent of Montenegro comes with a number of experienced players around NBA player Nikola Vucevic, but overall is much thinner than the DBB team. After a day break, it goes against the second-class Swedes before the first heavyweight game is waiting for the DBB team in the third game with Lithuania.
Afterwards there is another day break and then the game against the British, which at best also granted outsider opportunities. If things go well, the group victory could possibly be determined before the final, quite tricky game against host Finland.
Ice hockey city Tampere as the venue for basketball European Championship
The Finns, around the NBA-Hünen Lauri Markkanen, start with ambitions to the European Championship, where they have the home advantage, at least in the preliminary round. Before the European Championship start, there was little to feel of basketball enthusiasm in the cozy 250,000-inhabitant city. The advertising posters for the home game of Finland’s basketball hero Markkanen had to be searched in the city, in tampere the sports fans live especially for ice hockey. However, this could change on Wednesday evening when Finland’s basketball players have their first game in front of a home backdrop. And before that, the world champion gets into the tournament.