The German basketball players deliver with one at the start of the European Championship Blowout-In victory against Montenegro a real statement. As a question mark for the further progress of the tournament, however, the uncertain state of the sick national coach Alex Mumbru remains.
The video checks can also take longer in basketball. Dennis Schröder used the unplanned break in the third quarter when the referees on the monitor examined a thrust by Marko Simonovic against Johannesthiemann to sit down in the front row on the edge of the field. Schröder also found time, the owner of the Sacramento Kings to welcome, his new NBA club, who also “courtside“The game followed.
The captain no longer had to intervene in the game, the DBB team had created the prerequisites for the sovereign 106: 76 opening victory against Montenegro through a 33:12 run in the third quarter.
Franz Wagner – Birthday child and top scorer
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Schröder was even allowed to stay on the bench in the final quarter and save energy for the further tournament. Franz Wagner was also allowed to go to the bench seven minutes before the end, joked with his colleagues and let himself be celebrated for his 24th birthday.
The fact that the European Championship start in such a relaxed, family atmosphere was not necessarily expected in advance. The German basketball players had to play the European Championship opening game without the sick national coach Alex Mumbru. Since arriving in Finland, the Spaniard has only been in contact with the team via telephone or text messages.
Tough first half
In addition, Montenegro was an unpleasant opening opponent and a difficult, hypothermic atmosphere in the ice hockey arena of Tampere, which was not even filled with 3,495 spectators.
It was only expected to play the game in the first half, which Johannes Thiemann and the other players subsequently justified with the usual rhythm problems at the beginning of a tournament.
The team knew where they had to start at halftime, “Namely on the defensive”said assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic in the Sportschau interview. The representative of the national coach emphasized the great experience and quality of the team, especially in view of the special circumstances of Mumbrus failure:“That does it for all of us in Coaching-Staff easier. “
Leader Schröder, Wagner and fruit take over
In fact, the leaders Schröder, Wagner and Andi Obst showed after the break that they are able to switch on a gear when it is necessary: Captain Schröder made the first clearer leadership with ten points in series. Birthday child and top scorer Wagner (22 points) drew once “coast-to-coast“, from his own half over the entire field, past the Montenegrin defense and was irresistible. And also fruit, one of the best spacers in Europe, suddenly sank threesome in a row, in the end he had five of six attempts from” “downtown” met.
It was also more important that the entire team in defense went to work with more intensity and better coordination against the Montenegriners, which in the first round always got free throws from a distance and were able to keep themselves in the game.
All players in action – worries about Bonga
In the final quarter, when the game was decided, Ibrahimagic was even able to empty the entire bank, all twelve players collected their first minutes of application at this European Championship. Justus Hollatz filled up 100 points with a crashing dunk – and announced that it would spend a round of donuts for the entire team, as good old basketball tradition is. Only Isaac Bonga caused a worrying moment when he limped into the cabin prematurely.
In the end there was a “blowout” victory with 30 points difference, and thus a clear statement about the performance of the team, which has set itself as a goal. The strong Maodo Lo (10 points, 6 Assists) afterwards also dedicated the victory to the currently bedding national coach: “In the second half we performed as his philosophy.
Mumbru return further uncertain
The only open question of the successful European Championship start remained the condition of the sick national coach. The DBB continued to be covered when Mumbru can take over the team again.
Assistant coach Ibrahimagic announced that the team would prepare for the second game against Sweden on Friday. “We are a favorite. Our goal is to win the game”said Ibrahimagic at the Sportschau microphone – and sounded as if he was prepared to further represent the sick head coach.
