Austria is dreaming in Slovenian

With two wins in three games, the Austrian national basketball team is my pick for the most surprising team in the Eurobasket qualifications. Before the competition began, Group B's standings were clear: Germany will be at the top, The Netherlands at second place and Austira will struggle against Denmark on the third place. Three games later, Austria is a candidate to finish on the top of the Group's table, a position which guarantees them a place in the 2017 Eurobasket, for the first time in 60 years.

It was not just the away win against The Netherlands from the underdog position, which made people take the Austrian national team seriously; It was mainly the close game against Germany. The Austrians led the entire game and played as favorites, only to lose in the last seconds by two points. The mistakes they made are pointing out that their team is still somewhat naive, unexperienced. As Germany made their comeback in the last quarter (using small ball), the Austrians started with a panic 3pt shootout instead of going inside and take advantage of their size. In the first three quarters they shot cumulative 12 three pointers. In the fourth quarter they added another 6. Three of them in the crucial last two minutes of the game. By the way, they have not scored any of them.

Since Pöltl, the young Austrian talented Center of Toronto Raptors is not taking part in this campaign, the Austrian team has to rely heavily on Rasid Mahalbasic. So far he is not disappointing: The big man is leading the Austrian team in points, rebounds and efficiency. This qualifications campaign is not just about making Austrian history after 60 years. Mahalbasic is currently a free agent after parting ways - “In a friendly way”, as he insists - with Nizhny Novgorod this summer. A good set of games can get him a new contract somewhere else.

This week I had some words with Mahalbasic.

What are your expectations from the current campaign?

„We all want to qualify after 40 years (actually 60) to the Eurobasket. There are a lot of expectations from us, it will be great if we do it“.

Were you disappointed after the loss to Germany?

„Yes, it was a frustrating loss. We were better than Germany for the entire time. They won the game in the last minute because they were more focused on the goal, they just had more experience“.

How is it to play again for coach Kemzura?

„It is great, coach Kemzura and I had some great years in Poland and the Czech Republic as I was playing there (for Prokom and Nymburk repectively). He is a very disciplined coach“. Who is you role model in Basketball?

„I don't have a role model. I can't say I am trying to play like that player or the other. I am always willing to learn something new, to develop new aspects in my game. I am picking up something else from each position on the court, so I would not be the typical Center”.

You were born in Slovenia and grew up in Austria. Do you feel youself more Slovenian or more Austrian?

„Whenever I am wearing the Austrian national team's jersey, I definitely feel Austrian. Slovenia for me is just a place were I was born in, I have no relations to it. My family is Bosnian, I am a muslim, so I am feeling also Bosnian”.