Basketball: Danish danger for England
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England open their European Championship campaign in Fredricksberg against Denmark tonight after just two training sessions, a scrimmage against Germany on Monday and with their coach, Laszlo Nemeth, able to promise only "we will do everything humanly possible to get a result''.
Nemeth's squad lost 97-74 against the powerful Germans in a game staged NBA-style over 48 minutes and four quarters, to maximise a rare chance for England's men to play together.
The 11 squad members played virtually equal minutes, but Nemeth must cut one for the Denmark game, whose domestic programme, like England's, has been affected by the Bosman aftermath.
Seven of Nemeth's squad have returned from Continental clubs, while the three leading Danes also play abroad; Mikkel Larssen in Greece, Joachim Jericho in Italy and Lars Nilssen in Germany.
Larssen is a club mate at Trier of England's new cap, the London-born Silas Cheung who impressed Nemeth on his debut against Germany in Dusseldorf.
"He's definitely an asset to the team," said Nemeth of the 6ft 3in guard who went straight from his American college to the Bundesliga.
But the key for England will centre on how 6ft 10in John Amaechi, who may join the Sheffield Sharks, 6ft 11in Neville Austin and the 7ft 1in Ian Whyte handle Nilssen and Larssen.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments