Longtime captain Robin Benzing has reacted with disappointment after being kicked out of the national basketball team.
Longtime captain Robin Benzing has reacted with disappointment after being kicked out of the national basketball team.
“I think I deserved to be there,” Benzing told the German Press Agency on Sunday. “Certainly not with as much playing time as before, but as an eleventh or twelfth player.”
National coach Gordon Herbert had reduced his squad for the European Championships with a preliminary round in Cologne and the final round in Berlin (September 1 to 18) to 14 players and, in addition to Benzing, also dropped Leon scratches and Kenneth Ogbe. The German team is preparing for the Supercup at the weekend in Hamburg from Tuesday.
Benzing (33), who was last under contract with Fortitudo Bologna in Italy, had played for the national team every summer since 2009. “The national team was always something very special for me, and everyone knows that,” said Benzing. Friday night’s friendly against the Netherlands in Almere was his 167th international appearance. It is not yet clear whether it was his last international match.
“Let everything sink in first”
“I have to let everything sink in first,” said the veteran. “Of course it was somehow the plan to have the European Championships at home as the crowning glory in the national jersey,” said Benzing: “And I think you could have treated me to that. But others have to explain that now.”
Despite the great disappointment of missing out on the European Championships, Benzing wants to support the team at the tournament. “Of course I wish the boys the very best for the tournament and I’ll watch all the games,” said Benzing.
The association is planning a special farewell for Benzing. “That’s clear. When the national team called, Robin was always one of the first to raise his finger,” said DBB Vice President Armin Andres. “We know that in the association. But it’s the decision of the coaching staff and we don’t get involved as an association.”
Kader Germany Overview of test matches of the EM participants International match statistics Benzing DBB-Mitteilung
Source: Stern
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