By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
On the way to taking over the head-coaching duties of Germany in EuroBasket 2025, Alex Mumbru has been released from a hospital in Tampere.
“I am feeling much better, and I am receiving very good care here at the hotel,” he noted, relayed the German Basketball Federation on Sunday, “I am looking forward to being with the team in Riga.”
Despite his absence, Germany is up 3-0 in Group B of the preliminary round and has clinched a berth in the Round of 16. Following two more games in Finland, against Great Britain on Monday and the hosts on Wednesday, the challenges switch from pool play and hoping to secure the top seed to a single-elimination format in the capital of Latvia, starting from September 6.
“We came here with one goal, to become European champions,” said Daniel Theis during a press conference in Tampere on Sunday, confirming aspirations for a gold medal in the knockout stage of the tournament, “What made us so strong is respect to every opponent. What sets us apart is that we are not arrogant.”
The next step, in Gameday 4 at Nokia Arena, interim head coach Alan Ibrahimagic will miss Johannes Voigtmann against Great Britain. The 32-year-old big traveled to Munich for further medical tests concerning a knee injury and is expected to rejoin the team on Tuesday morning. So far in the tournament, he has been limited to two appearances with 1.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest.