By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The German national team turned the page after the Olympics with Gordon Herbert stepping down from the head coaching position and Spaniard Alex Mumbru replacing him.
Herbert’s legacy is huge, leading Germany to the 2024 FIBA World Cup throne, and Mumbru will have to defend it in the Eurobasket 2025.
Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, Mumbru outlined his expectations and singled out Serbia and France as the favorites.
“We have to play well, improve every day, try to play good basketball, and the team has to have chemistry. Pressure? Everyone’s trying to create it. I think Serbia and France are the two strongest teams. We have good players, too, and we’re going to the EuroBasket to win and compete seriously. I’m sure we’ll go there with great desire.”
When asked about his choice between Serbia and France, he added that Serbia has the biggest chance to win it all: “I see Serbia as the biggest favorite because of their roster. A team with so many NBA players… Even with a roster of 15 or 16 players, you can’t easily dismiss anyone. But we’re focusing on our own business and trying to do the right things.”
And while Germany has its share of NBA players, Serbia has Jokic, who, according to Mumbru, “will definitely be the best player. Both in the NBA and in Europe. He’s big (in size), he can assist, shoot, play under the basket, pass… We have great players too—Franz Wagner, Dennis Schröder, Daniel Theis—but the most important players in recent years have been Jokić and Dončić.”
Speaking about his team, Mumbru added: “We have players who are very passionate and dedicated to helping their country win. They come from years of winning consistently, and they want to keep that going. It’s important that they feel a good rapport with you and understand what you want and what you want it to look like.”
Germany also boasts two top-tier shooters: Andreas Obst and David Kramer, who has joined Real Madrid, and Mumbru expects big things from him: “I think he’s a great player; there aren’t many like him. He received numerous offers from the EuroLeague and chose Real Madrid. He’s a great shooter who can score off the ball and make quick shots off the opening kicks. He’s long and can jump. He’s a very, very useful player. Even though he finished the season with limited minutes, Real Madrid acquired a great player. He’s also a very good person.”