Germany Faces Tough Road Ahead in World Cup Qualifying Without Key Stars
The German national basketball team is bracing for a challenging away game against Croatia this Friday at 8 PM (CET), broadcast on MagentaSport. The atmosphere in Zagreb’s Dražen-Petrović Hall will be electric, with a sold-out crowd of 5,400 fans eager to see their team challenge the reigning World and European champions.
A Difficult Puzzle for Coach Mumbrú
Head coach Álex Mumbrú acknowledges the uphill battle, stating his team “must suffer in Zagreb.” The squad faces significant hurdles due to a wave of injuries and the unavailability of several EuroLeague players. Mumbrú described this international window as “perhaps the hardest” he’s faced in his tenure.
Thiemann Steps Up as Captain
Despite the challenges, Germany will look to Johannes Thiemann to lead the team as captain in the absence of Dennis Schröder, who is currently playing in Japan for the Gunma Crane Thunders.
Key Players Missing from Action
The German roster will be without several key contributors, including NBA players Schröder and Franz Wagner, as well as Bayern Munich stars Andreas Obst and Johannes Voigtmann. Maodo Lo, Daniel Theis, and Isaac Bonga are similarly unavailable due to workload management.
Croatia Welcomes Back Šarić
Croatia, receives a significant boost with the return of Dario Šarić, recently released from his NBA commitments with the Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, and Detroit Pistons. Croatian coach Tomislav Mijatović believes Šarić’s presence will significantly strengthen his team.
Return to Bonn and the Road to the World Cup
Following the game in Zagreb, Germany will return home to Bonn for a Sunday match at 6 PM (CET), also on MagentaSport. Mumbrú anticipates a boost from the home crowd, hoping to harness their energy. The top three teams from Group E, along with the top three from Group F (Lettland, Polen, Österreich, and the Netherlands), will advance to a new six-team group. The top three nations from this group will then qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
FAQ
Q: Where can I watch the games?
A: Both games will be broadcast live and exclusively on MagentaSport.
Q: Who is the captain of the German team in the absence of Dennis Schröder?
A: Johannes Thiemann will captain the team.
Q: What is at stake in these qualifying games?
A: These games are crucial for qualifying for the next phase of the World Cup qualification process and ultimately for a spot in the 2027 World Cup in Qatar.
Q: Why are so many German players unavailable?
A: Several players are missing due to injuries, EuroLeague commitments, and workload management.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Johannes Thiemann’s performance. With key players absent, he’ll be crucial to Germany’s success.
Stay tuned for further updates on the World Cup qualifying journey. What are your predictions for the Germany vs. Croatia matchup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
