Leading GB to EuroBasket 2022 qualification – with Marc Steutel – Ep. 95

For Episode 95 of the Hoopsfix Podcast we sit down with GB Senior Men’s Acting Head Coach Marc Steutel, who has just led the team to EuroBasket 2022 qualification.

An assistant with the squad since 2018, Steutel was given the reins of the team for the February 2020 window when the British Basketball Federation became aware Nate Reinking would be unavailable due to his commitments with the Canton Charge.

Since then, he has taken the helm through all three windows across the past 12 months, going 4-2, and qualifying for EuroBasket 2022 this past week after a big victory over Germany at the buzzer before defeating France to round out the campaign.

In this interview, Steutel reflects on the campaign, discusses being in the position of acting Head Coach, and looks ahead to what is next for the group.

Time stamps:
00:00 Intro
03:09 Interview start
03:14 What EuroBasket qualification means for him and the team
06:46 Whether qualification exceeded people’s expectations
09:54 Whether qualification exceeded the team’s own expectations
11:53 Whether the team bought into the underdog mentality
14:22 How much of a project it is to change the perception of GB basketball
16:49 How much of an advantage the new FIBA qualification system is for GB
19:56 When selecting the squad whether continuity of the squad is taken into account
23:14 If the programme had more funding and resource whether they would do extra camps
26:25 Jacob Round, Kareem Queeley and Cameron Hildreth and having younger guys with the team
29:35 The challenge of balancing minutes and egos
34:00 Being thrust into the role of Head Coach
39:03 Dealing with criticism of the level he has coached at whilst being the GB Head Coach
41:49 Whether he feels vindicated having secured EuroBasket qualification
43:27 Gabe Olaseni coming out in a press conference to stand up for the coaching staff
46:31 How the dynamic has worked with Nate Reinking and the role he is playing
50:19 Whether there’s a chance Marc could take the reins of the team for EuroBasket 2022
52:29 How GB were able to turn around a heavy defeat to France into such a resounding victory in Game 2
58:45 The Luke Nelson game winner against Germany and that final possession
1:03:25 GB previously always being close but not quite winning and whether that’s changing
1:08:43 The importance of playing home games and the game in Newcastle against Germany
1:14:20 What’s next for this GB group

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