Austria’s team also lost to the Netherlands in World Cup qualifying

In order to be able to intervene in the promotion race in Group F, a win in the second leg in The Hague on Sunday is probably necessary.

Lots of failures

In addition to top scorer Sylven Landesberg Because of his long-term elbow problems, he also had to do so at short notice Luka Brajkovic fit. The ÖBV center had an ankle injury that caused renewed pain during training. After an MRI examination, further clarifications are necessary; according to the association, Brajkovic will also be missing in The Hague. The 26-year-old from Olympia Ljubljana In Pöltl’s absence, Naglic had intended him to be the central point of attack.

Vujosevic and Schott strong

Instead, experienced playmaker once again took over Bogic Vujosevic the team on his shoulders. As ÖBV’s top scorer, the 33-year-old scored 15 of his total 23 points before the break. teenager Fynn Schott impressed with 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Styrian changes with them in the summer Utah Utes to the same US college from which Pöltl was the first and only Austrian to make it into the NBA ten years ago. Heidelberg Legionnaire Erol Ersek also came to 15 points.

The ÖBV team boss, who was appointed before the start of qualifying, received a lot of playing time Aramis Haste also, like Schott, who is only 19 years old Benjamin Schuch. There was also Aron Stazicthe son of the former league top scorer Stjepan Stazicmade his national team debut at the age of 18.

The young Austrians kept the game open for a long time. Four points were missing after the first quarter (13:17), and six at the break. In the third period, the Dutch pulled away to within eleven points. The ÖBV team fought back, and Vujosevic reduced the score to 53:55 with a three-pointer just before the quarter break.

Decision only at the finish

Three and a half minutes before the end, Schott brought the hosts within one point with a dunk (66:67), but they no longer took the lead. Red-White-Red had problems with the defensive rebound in the crucial phase. “Oranje” playmaker Keye van der Vuurst scored a foul with 22 seconds left and also sank the following bonus free throw to make it 77:71 for the Netherlands. The “Oranje” playmaker was the game’s top scorer with 25 points.

With Pöltl, the Austrians suffered a narrow defeat in the World Cup pre-qualification in the Netherlands in the summer (64:65). But at home there was an 83:70 success.

The best three teams in the group of four make it to the next round. In July, the Red-White-Red have a home game against the European Championship sixth-placed Poland and a guest game in Latvia on the agenda.