The German national basketball team is preparing for the two upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Sweden – at the same time the last endurance tests before the home European Championship. Questions continue to be raised about the personnel.
On Sunday, the DBB squad travelled on to Stockholm after the Super Cup in Hamburg (German timetable until the home European Championship). There, the opener in the second World Cup qualifying group against Sweden is scheduled for Thursday. Only a few days later, on Sunday, the Slovenian selection will be waiting in Munich – at the same time the dress rehearsal for the home European Championships in Cologne starting on 1 September.
“We have two days to get some things in order,” said national coach Gordon Herbert to his players before training on Monday. It was mainly about coming to terms with their recent performances against the Czech Republic and Serbia in the Super Cup final, which the German team lost with relatively little chance. “We will look back at offensive content and prepare certain defensive content,” Herbert said.
Joining the team, as expected, is Niels Giffey. The former Berliner had skipped the Super Cup for private reasons, but will now train with the team again. The condition of Daniel Theis, whose participation in the European Championship is in jeopardy, and Dennis Schröder, who twisted his ankle against the Czech Republic, is still questionable.