Gb planning for poland

Денг Гордон · Sep 23, 2008

GREAT Britain will this week begin planning for their first ever European Championship after ending their hugely successful qualifying campaign with a meaningless defeat in Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

Having already clinched Group D with a midweek win in the Czech Republic, coach Chris Finch rested NBA star Luol Deng with a minor toe injury.

Back-up players Nick George and Steve Levein were also absent as the depleted Brits put up a creditable final showing before collapsing late in the game.

But Finch and British Basketball management will now start looking to next summer's Finals in Poland by attempting to recruit London-born NBA stars Kelenna Azubuike and Ben Gordon, among others.

Finch said: "Next summer is going to be like a moonwalk for us, in terms of stepping into the unknown, so we have to make sure we are prepared for our landing.

"We have to prepare properly, there is a lot of research to do, a lot of planning and, as ever, we aim to improve on the court.

"I have no doubt we will be competitive in Poland, it is a question of how competitive. We will continue to talk with players like Ben and Kelenna to see if we can get them on board."

Veteran seven footer Andy Betts, who missed nearly all the campaign with a back injury, led GB with 14 points and 8 rebounds in Cazin while Nate Reinking hit 13 and exciting young prospect Joel Freeland had 12 points and 8 rebounds.

GB's effort in winning their group has stunned the traditional European powers, especially as Italy and France are among the six teams who must fight out for the one remaining place in the 16-team field in a last chance qualifying tournament next summer.

The draw for the Finals takes place in Poland on November 8 and Finch added: "I don't know if we are gaining the respect we deserve yet but I do know no team will relish playing us in Poland next summer."
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http://www.basketball247.co.uk/news/archives/00000203.shtml

Денг Гордон · Sep 23, 2008

I think the team as is, will be used to mop the floor by the other teams.

If they can get Ben Gordon and Kelenna Azuibuke on board, and get Betts healthy, I think they would have to become the favorites to win. Gordon/Azuibuke/Deng/Monsah-Bonsu/Betts, with Freeland and Reinking off the bench, they will be a really good team.

MikeDC · Sep 24, 2008

Yup, that's two more high quality NBA guys.

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Gb planning for poland

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