Gordon Herbert, head coach of the German national team, summed up his impressions at the press conference after the match against Finland at the FIBA World Cup.
Finland offered resistance only in the opening quarter, after which they had a 23:19 advantage. Then there was only one team on the floor. Germany won with a score of 101:75, which speaks volumes about the events in the remaining three periods.
“We struggled for the first seven or eight minutes. Finland played very well, and what changed the game for us were the players from the bench who established the rhythm in our favor. When the starting five returned to the field, we just continued in that mood and took the game in the direction we wanted” – said Gordon Herbert in the introductory part of the conference.
Is Germany a special team?
“You should ask me that on the tenth of September. This is a special group of players. Isaac Bonga and Mo Wagner were not there for the European Championship last year due to injuries. As you can see, they all fight together, they are there for each other, sometimes even against the plan, but all this is commendable and good for the team.
I think it is very important that we will have two days to rest after playing three games in five days. It will be good for us to relax a little, regenerate and clear our minds. I don’t know exactly what we’re going to do. We will gather in the morning at 8:30 and we will see. Maodo Lo complains about the hourly wage, but he will survive (laughs).”
Canadian on the bench for Germany
“There is some German blood in me. Herbert is a German surname. I think the previous coach before me did a good job. I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps. It is an honor to lead the German national team. All these guys want to win, fight together and represent their country in the best light. I’m like part of an orchestra, where sometimes I hold the baton and conduct, and the guys do all the work.“
Typhoon
“I’m not sure any of that is in our hands. We heard that there will be one 10 days ago, and we expect one on Friday. On Friday night (that’s when Germany plays its game). We expect to improve with each game. It’s nice to go to the next stage with a 3-0 record, but this is just the beginning of everything we want to do. It’s a long way to the top of the mountain” – concluded Gordon Herbert.