The historic Dane returns to the national team
The historic Dane returns to the national team
The Danish national basketball team can once again use its most famous player Gabriel "Iffe" Lundberg.
The Danish men's national basketball team's chances of qualifying for the European Commission in 2025 have increased significantly.
Profile of Gabriel "Iffe" Lundberg, who earlier this year had a contract with the NBA club Phoenix Suns, pulls the red and white jersey over his head again.
He recently signed a contract with Italian big club Virtus Bologna, and here is where the national team's comeback became possible.
- It's really great. It is something I am very proud of. It's been a few years since I last played for the national team because my situation contributed to my not being able to play.
- When you reach a certain level, a lot of things have to come together for you to be able to play. They just haven't done that so far, he says.
Lundberg made history when he became the first Dane to get playing time in the NBA in April. It was four games before he went home without a contract a few months later. He probably didn't quite master the basketball shots that bring success in professional basketball https://sportsway.dk/basketball-skud-der-giver-succes-i-professionel-basketball/ But we believe Gabriel will still get a second chance.
Instead, he struck out when Virtus Bologna took the field. The Italian club is one of the biggest in Europe and competes in the prestigious Euroleague, among others.
Head coach Sergio Scariolo also coaches Spain's national team, so there's an understanding of the national team's desire for basketball.
- First of all, I'm starting to acquire such a high status that I have more freedom not to demand things, but to negotiate specific things. It also helps that my future coach Sergio is in the same boat as me," he says.
The EU qualification is long and confusing. In July, the Danes won their group in the first round of pre-qualification.
That sent Denmark into the second round, where the team must try to qualify for the main qualifying tournament.
Last year, the Danish men's basketball team lost to Lithuania by one point in the deciding game to qualify for this year's World Cup.
That increased the motivation and faith in the Danish debut in the final round.
- I think it looks very good. We have a very good team and a good coach. We were close to making it the last time we played in qualification where I wasn't there.
- It was only after the last one that we got more blood on our teeth. It feels like it could well be this time, says 'Iffe' Lundberg.
Denmark opens the second round of qualification at home against Northern Macedonia on 25 August, while Norway awaits the away game three days later.
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