GB looking to defend as a unit during czechia test
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Great Britain‘s Carl Wheatle believes that defending as a unit will be crucial when the team face Czechia in their second FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifier on Monday.
The veteran captained the side when they beat the Netherlands 98-94 in their opening game of the EuroBasket Qualifiers in Newcastle on Friday,
“We had too many turnovers that led to easy points for them and that’s something, especially against all the top teams in Europe,” Wheatle said.
“We can’t allow, because when we have a lead, we have to maintain it as best we can.
“So as much as the offensive performance was good today, and we shot the ball really well, we can’t always assume we’re going to shoot 70% from two and 45% from three.
“We’re going to have days where the shots may not be falling and we have to find ways to win those games and obviously keeping turnovers down and defending as a unit is going to be how we do that.”
Wheatle, who scored 12 points and had six rebounds in the opening night win against the Netherlands, described Monday’s qualifier against Czechia, who lost their opener against Greece in Piraeus, as like facing a “hostile environment.”
Amongst Czechia’s talent is Tomas Satoransky, a six-year NBA veteran, currently averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and four assists in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague with FC Barcelona.
Also in the squad is former London Lions standout Vojtech Hruban, who averaged 11.4 points in the British Basketball League and currently plays in France for Cholet Basket.
And going into Monday’s game, history is on Great Britain’s side against the team ranked 19th in the FIBA World Rankings.
The last time Great Britain played in Czechia was back in 2008 when GB, led by coach Chris Finch, now of the Minnesota Timberwolves, not only won 67-63 but saw them qualify for their first-ever FIBA EuroBasket in 2009.
History aside for current head coach Marc Steutel, while pleasant memories, he wants the current crop to do the same.
He is aware of what awaits him in Pardubice.
“Czechia is a difficult place to go and play. They are a highly ranked team for obvious reasons,” Steutel said.
“They have a rich heritage, are very physical and have depth inside their front line, so we have to make sure that we are ready to play and do as best as we can.”
You can catch Great Britain in action on Monday night against Czechia exclusively on Courtside 1891 via FIBA.basketball. Subscribe here.