Triumph for Warrior Mumbru, yet doubts persist
The German basketball national team is making waves in the ongoing European Championship, despite facing some unexpected challenges. Based in Riga, Latvia, the team has been residing at the Park Inn Valdemara hotel, which, unfortunately, has proven to be less than ideal. The hotel's location near a busy multi-lane highway has resulted in noise disturbances, ongoing nighttime construction, and insufficient catering quality, causing discomfort for the team. In response, the team has submitted an application to move hotels.
The team had a well-deserved day off in Riga after their impressive 85:58 win against Portugal. Despite the challenges, their spirits remain high, and they are focusing on training and improving their weaknesses in preparation for the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinal match for the German team will be on Wednesday against either Italy or Slovenia. Notable player Luka Doncic will be a formidable opponent for the German team, having played a significant role in his team's success.
In a positive turn of events, head coach Alex Mumbru returned to the sidelines after being hospitalized for "acute abdomen", an emergency situation requiring immediate medical treatment. Mumbru's return was warmly welcomed by the team, with captain Schrรถder praising his mentality. Mumbru shared coaching duties with his assistant Alan Ibrahimagic during the game against Portugal.
The team dedicated their round of 16 victory to Mumbru, who found the right words to calm the team during halftime when they were behind for the first time in the tournament. Maodo Lo, a team member, commented on Mumbru's inspiring words, saying they provided the necessary boost to turn the game around.
The path to the first European Championship title in 32 years seems clear for the World Champion German team, with the elimination of Serbia, the tournament's top favourite, in the round of 16. The European Championship break between games is unusually long, lasting three days, providing the team with ample time to rest and strategize for their upcoming match.
Meanwhile, injured World Cup winner Moritz Wagner, now a TV expert, expressed concern about Mumbru's health, hoping for a speedy recovery for the coach. Despite these concerns, the German team is determined to make the most of this opportunity and bring home the European Championship trophy.
