National team at EM: ice cream, sauna, red light: basketball players ready for Lithuania

The second demonstration of power at the European Championship in Finland Hakte Dennis Schröder and Co. immediately. Around 22 hours after the problem-free 105: 83 (59:42) on Sweden, the largest basketball test stone of the group phase is waiting: Lithuania. “Ice, sauna, red light, physio, ice cream, eating and drinking a lot”, captain Schröder summarized his short regeneration program until Saturday (12.30 p.m./Magenta sport and RTL).

With NBA-Jungstar Franz Wagner, who contributed 21 points, old memories of a memorable EM duel came up in the summer of 2022. “It was really cool, great fun with two extensions. We are completely focused on ourselves,” said Wagner with a view of the game that Germany had won in Cologne at that time with 109:107.

Ibrahimagic: Situation with Mumbru in mind

So far there have been no such test stones in Tampere. Against the visibly overwhelmed Swedes, Germany was not brought up by the disease -related failure of national coach Alex Mumbru or the unusual commitment at lunchtime. Wagner and Schröder (23 points) again wore the main load in the team of transition coach Alan Ibrahimagic.

“Overall, I am satisfied. We broke it very well again and brought it home again,” said Ibrahimagic in Magenta Sport. In the interview zone, he added to his role: “I feel good and like to do it. But I can’t speak of fun – the situation with the coach is always in mind,” said the assistant.

Mumbru was also able to follow this game on the bedside, said Ibrahimagic. The German Basketball Bund (DBB) signed its posts after the success with the words “for Alex”.

Like the clear 106: 76 against Montenegro at the start, the second group game did not show an exam for Germany. The European Championship preliminary round in front of a relatively bleak setting in Tampere has so far been more like an extension of the preparation. Great Britain on Monday and host Finland are the opponents to Lithuania on Monday.

Then co-captain Johannes Voigtmann should also be used again. The center suspended Sweden due to knee problems. “It was a precaution at Jo. I hope that he can play against Lithuania again. If I would bet now, I would say yes,” said Ibrahimagic.

Before the game, Voigtmann addressed Chief Coach Mumbru. “Of course we hope that he will be back soon,” said Voigtmann in magenta about the coach, who has been in the hospital since Monday after an “acute abdomen”. Mumbrus playing style was also internalized without him, said Voigtmann.

Germany dominates loose games

On the night before the match day, the German basketball players were awakened by a fire alarm that turned out to be a false alarm. But the Ibrahimagic team immediately appeared on the floor. As usual, NBA -Jungstar Wagner drove up to the basket, captain Schröder served his buddy Daniel Theis – it was quickly 8-0.

After that, a relaxed game developed, in which Germany defensively had weaknesses and inattentiveness – but always kept the opponent at a distance. The biggest excitement at halftime was a word of Schröder with the referee, who then sanctioned the Point Guard with a technical foul.

Skin of Spain and Slovenia

“It was not that easy, but you can definitely be satisfied with the tour,” said coach Ibrahimagic at halftime. It was striking that the German team made its luck on the offensive this time much less on the three -point throw than against Montenegro. In addition, the litters fell better from the start.

Ibrahimagic had a lot of rotating after the break and also gave the second row around Justus Hollatz and Oscar da Silva according to the game. The Mumbru assistant in the opening game had already been able to handle this. Other examples show that such a flawless start at the European Championship: defending champion Spain (69:83 against Georgia) and Slovenia with superstar Luka Doncic (95: 105 against Poland) directly lost.