AUSTRIAN WIN PIVOTAL FOR EURO HOPES - Hoopsfix.com

AUSTRIAN WIN PIVOTAL FOR EURO HOPES

Great Britain head coach Alberto Lorenzo will aim to run Austria into the ground in Manchester on Thursday.

I’ve faith in my young guns, signalled the Spaniard, ahead of the opening EuroBasket pre-qualifier at Belle Vue, one of two games in five days that have the potential to put GB in control of their own destiny.

Victories over the Austrians – and then against Cyprus on Monday – are expected for GB but Lorenzo trusts his squad are ready.

“These games are not going to be easy, they are going to be tough games but with our first game against Austria being at home I think we have a really good chance of getting a win,” Lorenzo said.

“We have seen a lot of Austria games and what is critical is that they are very experienced guys, they are not as young as us, and I feel that we are more physical too.

“So we need to draw on that physical strength at the start of the game because if we let them play to their own pace and find the right shooters, it will be tough so we need to be aggressive from the start.”

GB opened practice in Manchester (MAP)

There is a certain changing of the guard with Lorenzo bringing in teen Spain-based prospects Jacob Round and Kareem Queeley into the senior fold for the first time with the pair set to vie with Josh Steel and the returning Ogo Adegboye for what is presumed to the final spot on Thursday’s 12-man roster.

And with the embattled British Basketball Federation still in a state of flux behind the scenes, Lorenzo claims that the men’s progress is pivotal for the game.

“I don’t want to be dramatic but for the future of GB Basketball, I think this is a big moment,” Lorenzo said. “It’s our goal to move to the next round. It’s really important for us and for the future.

“I feel that on the court, we are able to beat anyone. We have the right guys that all are committed to GB basketball. I am expecting a tough game from the Austrian players so we must be very physical with them.”

Photo: Mansoor Ahmed