By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Germany acting head coach Alan Ibrahimagic described his connection with the basketball scene of former Yugoslavia and how it inspired him.
“I have a huge connection with [now] ex Yugoslavian basketball because I grew up as the country was together,” Ibrahimagic said after Germany’s win over Finland in the first of the two EuroBasket semifinal games. “I grew up watching all these great players we’ve had. I grew up inhaling this basketball culture. This obviously brought me to play basketball and stay in basketball and I follow it nowadays as well. Most of these countries [national teams] are going through some tough times now but still they have basketball blood and I do as well.”
Ibrahimagic was born in Belgrade in 1978 to Bosnian parents. He lived in what is now Bosnia until he was 14 years old when he moved to Berlin, Germany.
“For sure, it shaped me a lot,” Ibrahimagic added.
Ibrahimagic was promoted from assistant to acting head coach of the German national team due to Alex Mumbru suffering from an acute abdominal illness. So far, he’s doing a fine job as Germany is now in a place to compete for the EuroBasket gold medal for the first time in 20 years.
If Germany wins the tournament, they’ll be European and World champions as the same time.
“I missed the World Championship, so I don’t know the feeling,” Ibrahimagic said. “But it’s really an honor to be a part of this group. We’re together. We’re confident. We’re going to fight on Sunday. It’s a great responsibility, having won the gold medal in the World Championship. Having won the bronze medal in the 2022 EuroBasket. And now playing in the Final. We have to enjoy the moment. Try to play our best game and see what happens.”