Last summer, Swedish basketball history was written in the EC.
But the future has never been brighter than now.
This national team is the most talented, entertaining and exciting I have ever seen.
Before the match, Pelle Larsson was asked if this is the best national team Sweden has had.
– I don’t know because we still haven’t played, he answered.
Now we know.
There was no doubt that it was the most famous national team on paper. But how would it work without the injured Ludvig Håkanson? How was Bobi Klintman, who hasn’t practiced with a team since April? How would Elliot Cadeau adapt to European basketball and how well-connected would the players be after just a few practices together?
The questions were many. Already in the first period, reassuring answers were given.
Cadeau got the chance from the start in Håkanson’s absence and drew two points immediately. Larsson did what he does best, attacked the basket and was fouled. Then Klintman presented himself with points and rebounds.
I cannot remember a more remarkable period of a Swedish national basketball team than the first one against the Czech Republic. Sweden played with speed, focus and finesse.
The stars delivered, and so did the team. There wasn’t a player who didn’t contribute and it was a team that played with and for each other.
This is just the beginning
The lead was as much as 18 points after the first period. It grew to 26 points at halftime.
It was an overrun that even those with high expectations had not believed. The defensive rebounding wasn’t flawless, but it was also one of the few things to note.
In the third period there were all the more. Sweden lost energy, intensity and missed shots. That let the Czech Republic into the game and the important plus goal difference shrunk and disappeared.
Now a victory against Slovenia in the last round is required, while the Czech Republic loses against Estonia, for the World Cup qualification to live on.
But even if there is no sequel, this was just the beginning. Sweden has never had so many talented players as now – and when everyone pulls on the national team shirt at the same time, many teams will have problems.
Last summer, Swedish basketball history was written in the EC.
But Swedish men’s basketball has never had a brighter future than now.
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