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Great Britain National Team

  • Thread starter Thread starter FilWelsh2
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GBR – Britain to host EuroBasket warm-up event at The O2

LONDON (EuroBasket 2009) – Great Britain will host a four-team tournament in August at The O2 Arena in London as part of their preparations for this year’s EuroBasket in Poland.

The Brits, who topped their qualifying group ahead of Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Czech Republic, will play in Warsaw in September’s Final Round against world champions Spain, Slovenia and Serbia.

At The O2 Arena from August 14-16, Great Britain will face EuroBasket-bound sides Turkey, Slovenia and Israel.

"We just feel we need to play as many games at The O2 as possible in the run up to 2012 (Olympic Games),” Great Britain coach Chris Finch said.

"We don't have a 'home' but we feel like it's home to us even though we have only played one game there. That was a great game and great atmosphere last year and it really set us up well for the next two home games.”

The game Finch referred to was played on September 6 last year when the Brits beat the Czech Republic 87-68.

They followed that up with triumphs over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel before travelling to the Czech Republic and winning again to secure a spot in Poland.

Luol Deng, the 23-year-old captain of the Britain team who has missed a lot of games with the Chicago Bulls this year due to a stress fracture in his tibia, expects to be fully fit by the time the games are played.

Born in Sudan, Deng moved to the London area as a child.

"It meant a lot playing at The O2 arena in front of our fans,” he said.

”It's always a great feeling to put on the GB jersey and represent our nation in a sport that we all love playing."
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http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29624/arti.html
 
GBR – Deng upbeat about British chances

LONDON (EuroBasket) – Luol Deng hasn’t played for the Chicago Bulls since February 28 because of a leg injury but he’s optimistic about representing Great Britain at EuroBasket 2009 and fully expects his national team to be a force.

The star of Britain’s qualification campaign has been sidelined with a stress fracture in his right tibia but come September in Poland, Deng hopes to be available when his adopted country goes up against world champions Spain, Serbia and Slovenia in Group C.

"Again based on last summer's experience and success, we have every right to remain optimistic about our chances in Poland", Deng said.

"No doubt, it will be a much tougher challenge but we have a very talented team and a very well organized and prepared coaching staff.

“I have a lot of belief in my teammates and I know with an extra year of experience under our belt, we will be sharper and more prepared coming out of training camp in the summer."

Great Britain recently announced plans to host a ‘Game On’ - a warm-up tournament at London’s O2 Arena with Slovenia, Israel and Turkey from August 14 to 16.

The 23-year-old Deng, who was born in Sudan but moved to London as a small boy with his family, said: "Having ‘Game On’ at the O2 will help us tremendously.

“The tournament gives us a chance to go up against very talented and well organized teams in Europe.”
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http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29691/arti.html
 
GBR – Deng hopeful of recovering in time to play for Great Britain at EuroBasket

CHICAGO (EuroBasket/NBA Europe Live) - Great Britain star Luol Deng hasn’t played for the Chicago Bulls since February 28 because of a leg injury but he hopes to be ready to lead the Brits in September when they compete at the EuroBasket in Poland.

The 23-year-old averaged more than 24 points and almost six rebounds per game last summer as Britain finished top of their qualifying group.

“I feel that I will be fit (for Poland) as of right now,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.

“I think my recovery is going well. My rehab is going well. I’m feeling a lot better. But to be honest, I’m not going to know until I’m on the floor playing.

“It’s one of those injuries, how my body responds to it when I’m playing, when I’m full speed. Right now I feel that I’ll be able to avoid surgery and be fit.”

Deng thought he had a bruised shin and “just soreness” but examinations by doctors showed something else.

“The MRI revealed that I have a very small stress fracture, not a major stress fracture but a beginning of a stress fracture,” he said.

“Me and several different doctors, including my Bulls doctor, felt that in order for it to heal right, I had to take some time off to rest it instead of making it any worse and also to avoid surgery.”

The 6ft 9in forward says he is likely to start running again this week.

Deng’s status has his Great Britain coach Chris Finch and his teammates who are with their club sides all over Europe and North America concerned.

When asked by FIBA.com if he’d been in touch with Finch, he said: “I’ve been talking to Chris Finch back-and-forth by email and my teammates and other guys that are involved with the British team.

“I’ve been able to just keep them informed and let them know. They’ve all been very supportive. Coach Finch has been very supportive.

“The talk has just been about what the outcome will be; if I will be able to just rehab and be back which is what I think is going to happen.

“But I think everyone knows how I love playing for the national team and how badly I want to play. I don’t think that’s the question.

“It’s something that we have to deal with. The injury has come at the wrong time. It’s an injury that you never want to have. It is what it is, and it’s just time to rehab and get better.”

Deng also offered his thoughts on the possibility of his London-born Bulls teammate Ben Gordon playing for Britain.

“With Ben Gordon, to be honest with you, I don’t know what Ben is going to do,” he said.

“I think being in the European Championship and the summer that we had and everything, I think it caught his attention and I think he wants to be a part of it.

“But at the same time, Ben Gordon is in the summer of his contract year and I don’t see him going to play without a contract. So I think that is going to play a major role in his decision, also.”

Deng was speaking to journalists in a conference call following the announcement that Chicago will play Utah in a NBA Europe Live game in London in October.
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http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/29715/arti.html
 
And what about Ben Gordon and Kelenna Azubuike??? Will they play for GB in the next EuroBasket?? This team has great chances in the EuroBasket, even without these two players. With Pops, Deng and Archibald they have team to reach the second group phase...
 
I had just received my ticket (worth £54) in a 4 Nations Basketball tournament this August 15 in O2 Arena in London. The tournament features Team GB, Poland, Turkey and Israel. It is a tourney which would prepare Team GB for Eurobasket Champs this September. . It would be a rare opportunity to watch NBA stars Luol Deng, Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Ben Gordon (GB) and Mehmet Okur and Hedo Turkoglu (Turkey). . .
 
Hi, i'd like to know where can i buy a british NT shirt, either online or in a store in London. Thanks.
 
Azubuike is out for September:
AZUBUIKE 'GIVES UP' ON EUROBASKET - by Basketball 24/7, April 21, 2009

NBA baller Kelenna Azubuike has given up his dream of playing for his homeland Great Britain in this summer's European Championships.

Despite being born in London, the Golden State Warriors starter has been refused a British passport.

British Basketball are currently trying to help Azubuike negotiate the red tape required to successfully complete the necessary paperwork.

But with Eurobasket looming in Poland in September, the 6'5" guard does not expect to make his GB debut in 2009.

He said: "Definitely not this summer. I have kind of given up on it.

"They haven't even told me they are close to getting a passport so it will be tough for this summer.

"I'm still trying to get it worked on and I'm not really sure what the timeline is because of the complication with the changes in the passport rules.

"I definitely still want to play for the British national team at some point but I'm not just sure when."

Azubuike, 25, truly established himself as an NBA regular this season, averaging over 32 minutes a game and scoring 14.4 points and 5 rebounds per outing.

His Warriors team mates Andris Biedrins (Latvia), Marco Belinelli (Italy) and Ronny Turiaf (France) could all be in action in this summer's Eurobasket.

And Oklahoma-raised Azubuike added: "I talk to Andris about it and he says he enjoys playing international ball, it's a great experience and I definitely should do it.

"And of course the 2012 Olympics are definitely attractive, it would be a dream. The Olympic Games are an amazing event so it would be a dream to be part of it."

Biedrins promises to be one of the major stars in Poland and believes his team mate has what it takes to make his mark in Europe.

Biedrins added: "He's an overall really good player who can do a lot of things - he's great offensively and can score and is pretty solid and works hard at the defensive end.

"Plus, he can run and jump, he's athletic so he won't have any problems in international basketball."

Azubuike's problems with his passport application relate to the status of his parents when he was born in London and the fact he missed an earlier cut off point to apply for his passport, having left the UK as a baby.
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Ben Gordon Named In Training Squad Roster

Head Coach Chris Finch has compiled a 24-man squad list for the training camp in August. Included are the NBA's Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, although Gordon is yet to confirm his availability.

There are also three names from the British Basketball League, including 22-year-old newcomer Tafari Toney, who has starred for the league winning Newcastle Eagles this season.

Full Squad:
Kieron Achara - Fortitudo (ITA)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)
Eric Boateng - Arizone State University (USA)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
Matthew Bryan-Amaning - Universtiy of Washington (USA)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
Daryl Corletto - Melbourne Tigers (AUS)
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Germayne Forbes - Nyon (SUI)
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Randall Hanke - Providence University (USA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai - L'Hospitalet (ESP)
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Steve Leven - West Brabant Giants (NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Richard Midgley - Everton Tigers
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Justin Robinson - Rider Univertisy (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
Tafari Toney - Newcastle Eagles
 
AlbionGate said:
Ben Gordon Named In Training Squad Roster

Head Coach Chris Finch has compiled a 24-man squad list for the training camp in August. Included are the NBA's Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, although Gordon is yet to confirm his availability.

There are also three names from the British Basketball League, including 22-year-old newcomer Tafari Toney, who has starred for the league winning Newcastle Eagles this season.

Full Squad:
Kieron Achara - Fortitudo (ITA)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)
Eric Boateng - Arizone State University (USA)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
Matthew Bryan-Amaning - Universtiy of Washington (USA)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
Daryl Corletto - Melbourne Tigers (AUS)
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Germayne Forbes - Nyon (SUI)
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Randall Hanke - Providence University (USA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai - L'Hospitalet (ESP)
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Steve Leven - West Brabant Giants (NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Richard Midgley - Everton Tigers
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Justin Robinson - Rider Univertisy (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
Tafari Toney - Newcastle Eagles
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I,ve no doubt that football England NT doesn,t have such strong squad as their basketball compatriots! Furthermore, GBR NT has more chances to win eurobasket than England NT can win EC in football!!! :D
 
With this players a very interesting 12-men roster could be made:

PG
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
SG
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
SF
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
PF
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
C
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)

Being the last spot in the roster between:
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)

If the best men of this roster arrive in shape to the tournament, this team could put into real trouble almost any NT.
 
Neozyrus said:
With this players a very interesting 12-men roster could be made:

PG
Nate Reinking - Mons Hainaut (BEL)
Flinder Boyd - Leicester Riders
SG
Ben Gordon - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Nick George - Gravelines Dunkerque (FRA)
SF
Luol Deng - Chicago Bulls (USA)
Andrew Sullivan - CSK VVS Samara (RUS)
PF
Joel Freeland - Gran Canaria (ESP)
Dan Clark - Estudiantes (ESP)
C
Pops Mensah-Bonsu - Toronto Raptors (CAN)
Rob Archibald - Unicaja (ESP)
Andy Betts - Aris Thesaloniki (GRE)

Being the last spot in the roster between:
Mike Lenzly - Harem Scafati (ITA)
Jarrett Hart - Keravnos (CYP)

If the best men of this roster arrive in shape to the tournament, this team could put into real trouble almost any NT.
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I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.
 
AlbionGate said:
I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.
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Yeah i get your point but i think that the most important thing for this team will be the team work and the chemistry among the players, cause they already have some players that can really decide a game. And watching how the team played in the last tournament against Bosnia, Israel..etc im pretty optimistic.

Imo you have a couple of players that can create easily their own shots like Gordon and Deng with a quite high accurancy. The substiute of Deng really wouldnt mind as there is no doubt that he must play as many minutes as he can (more or less like Nowitzki does in Germany).
The omly problem with Bonsu should be his shot selection, if he's able to improve a little this aspect, he can have a relly impressive tournament. And apart from that, with him you have a machine near the rim at both ends of the floor and a defensive monster ( if he can maintain himself out of the foul trouble). And you have also a great backup in this position as Archibald is, that can give the team a lot of fight, hustle, rebounds, points and some really quality minutes with or without Pops in the court.

About the rest of the positions, i hope Freeland got some rest before the trainig camp, cause the lenght of the season seems to be causing him some phisychal problems. If he manages to be at 90% for the tournament, you will have a great help in the pf position, and a player that could open many many spaces for the shots of Deng and Gordon.

The subsutitue of Gordon should be George, that, although is clear that his not going to be a reference in the team, normally he doesnt make easy mistakes in the plays, he can shoot and seems to be quite confortble inside the team. A decent replacement imo.

And probably you're righ in the pg position, but i was gladly suprise by Reinking in the last games. He has been doing some good seasons in Belgium, and has adquired enough experience to know what he can do and what he cant do ( and thats a really important factor in a pg). And despite hes getting old, in he can be in shape at the beginning of the tournament, i now he wont be able to compete with the best guards, but he can be a great help for his teammates.
 
Neozyrus said:
Yeah i get your point but i think that the most important thing for this team will be the team work and the chemistry among the players, cause they already have some players that can really decide a game. And watching how the team played in the last tournament against Bosnia, Israel..etc im pretty optimistic.

Imo you have a couple of players that can create easily their own shots like Gordon and Deng with a quite high accurancy. The substiute of Deng really wouldnt mind as there is no doubt that he must play as many minutes as he can (more or less like Nowitzki does in Germany).
The omly problem with Bonsu should be his shot selection, if he's able to improve a little this aspect, he can have a relly impressive tournament. And apart from that, with him you have a machine near the rim at both ends of the floor and a defensive monster ( if he can maintain himself out of the foul trouble). And you have also a great backup in this position as Archibald is, that can give the team a lot of fight, hustle, rebounds, points and some really quality minutes with or without Pops in the court.

About the rest of the positions, i hope Freeland got some rest before the trainig camp, cause the lenght of the season seems to be causing him some phisychal problems. If he manages to be at 90% for the tournament, you will have a great help in the pf position, and a player that could open many many spaces for the shots of Deng and Gordon.

The subsutitue of Gordon should be George, that, although is clear that his not going to be a reference in the team, normally he doesnt make easy mistakes in the plays, he can shoot and seems to be quite confortble inside the team. A decent replacement imo.

And probably you're righ in the pg position, but i was gladly suprise by Reinking in the last games. He has been doing some good seasons in Belgium, and has adquired enough experience to know what he can do and what he cant do ( and thats a really important factor in a pg). And despite hes getting old, in he can be in shape at the beginning of the tournament, i now he wont be able to compete with the best guards, but he can be a great help for his teammates.
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Whoever Chris Finch decide to be included in his final roster for Eurobasket, i think will be good enough considering the depth of talent the Team GB having now. . . I believe they will make a noise even a scare against teams in their group including Pau Gasol's Spain. . .
 
Its a long shot

Its a long shot

I know its a long shot I hope also filwesh can help me invite the GB national team or even your pool to come to philippines and play our rp team this coming summer(july) part of our preparations for the regional qualifiers for wbc. You will learn alot from the rp teams and also vice versa. Thanks for reading.:D
 
AlbionGate said:
I don't think so. Although the major part of starting five (Mensah-Bonsu, Freeland, Deng, Gordon) is very good, this team don't have reliable back-up players. Moreover playmakers are really weak. And finally, we have to see how will Gordon adapt to FIBA rules.
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I totally agree with you. I don't think that the British point guards have the ability to react really well against the Spanish or Serbian pressure on defence. Also, they are placed in a very difficult group. The main advantage of this team is their front-line which includes players like Archibald, Mensa-Bonsu and Betts. But with play-makers such as Reinking or Boyd, there won't be many passes inside the "paint". Of course Deng is a great player, but well-organized teams such as Spain, Slovenia and Serbia cannot be beaten by only one player. Things will be very tough for the British NT at this Eurobasket.
 
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Mensah-Bonsu, Gordon And Deng In British Squad

Great Britain coach Chris Finch has included Chicago Bulls duo Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, and Toronto Raptors center Pops Mensah-Bonsu in the country's 24-man preliminary squad for September's EuroBasket.

The Brits will take on Serbia, Slovenia and world champions Spain in Group C in Warsaw.

Gordon, who was born in London but grew up in the United States, has yet to represent Britain but is enthusiastic about joining the national side, though he has yet to commit for 2009.

He is currently with the Bulls in the NBA play-offs.

Deng hasn't played for the Bulls since February 28 because of a minor stress fracture in his leg and is a big uncertainty for the Final Round in Poland while Mensah-Bonsu finished the season on a high after signing with the Raptors.

A couple of other big names in the squad are Unicaja Malaga's Robert Archibald and Gran Canaria's Joel Freeland.

The 24-man preliminary squad:

Kieron Achara (Fortitudo, ITA)
Rob Archibald (Unicaja, ESP)
Andy Betts (Aris Thesaloniki, GRE)
Eric Boateng (Arizona State, USA)
Flinder Boyd (Leicester Riders, GBR)
Matthew Bryan-Amaning (University of Washington, USA)
Dan Clark (Estudiantes, ESP)
Daryl Corletto (Melbourne Tigers, AUS)
Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Germayne Forbes (Nyon, SWI)
Joel Freeland (Gran Canaria, ESP)
Nick George (Gravelines Dunkerque, FRA)
Ben Gordon (Chicago Bulls, USA)
Randall Hanke (Providence, USA)
Jarrett Hart (Keravnos, CYP)
Dzaflo Larkai (L'Hospitalet, ESP)
Mike Lenzly (Harem Scafati, ITA)
Steve Leven (West Brabant-Giants NED)
Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors, USA)
Richard Midgley (Everton Tigers, GBR)
Nate Reinking (Mons Hainaut, BEL)
Justin Robinson (Rider University, USA)
Andrew Sullivan (no club)
Tafari Toney (Newcastle Eagles, GBR)
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http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_U1eg9YU1JRYy-IIqSo8gf1.articleMode_on.container_frontpage.html
 
sixama23 said:
I totally agree with you. I don't think that the British point guards have the ability to react really well against the Spanish or Serbian pressure on defence. Also, they are placed in a very difficult group. The main advantage of this team is their front-line which includes players like Archibald, Mensa-Bonsu and Betts. But with play-makers such as Reinking or Boyd, there won't be many passes inside the "paint". Of course Deng is a great player, but well-organized teams such as Spain, Slovenia and Serbia cannot be beaten by only one player. Things will be very tough for the British NT at this Eurobasket.
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You are right. Backcourt is the weakest link of this Team GB. . .But you will never know, we are capable of giving upsets against teams in our group. . .
 
FilWelsh said:
You are right. Backcourt is the weakest link of this Team GB. . .But you will never know, we are capable of giving upsets against teams in our group. . .
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Big congrats to GB team....can anyone let me know if/when British TV wold broadcast any games prior to the Euro so I can see the team's strenght?
I think it would be v hard for GB in this group but good luck anyway.
 
g.g said:
Big congrats to GB team....can anyone let me know if/when British TV wold broadcast any games prior to the Euro so I can see the team's strenght?
I think it would be v hard for GB in this group but good luck anyway.
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Very unlikely. Not on the freeview anyway .Bbc holds rights for a cup final ,and that is that.
 
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