Game 3 Preview: Great Britain VS Sweden

GB are set to face Sweden in their third group game of FIBA EuroBasket.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2:30 pm (BST) tip-off on Saturday afternoon (30 August).

GB have started both of their first two EuroBasket games well, but are still looking for a complete 40-minute performance.

Against Lithuania, they showed impressive defensive intensity, whilst Akwasi Yeboah put on a strong offensive display, scoring 17 points and adding four rebounds and two blocks.

In their second match against Finland, GB’s early attack was firing on all cylinders. In the first half, they kept within touching distance of the home side, who simply could not miss from behind the arc.

Tarik Phillip and Yeboah connected well, while Luke Nelson was everywhere, scoring the ball, providing for his teammates, and putting the pressure on in defence. His 13 points and four assists led his country.

Lauri Markkanen’s explosive scoring display saw Finland run out to victory in the second half, but Marc Steutel’s side have shown what they are capable of in phases.

If GB’s offence can stay in rhythm, and they can recapture some of the defensive consistency they produced against Lithuania, they have every chance of beating Sweden, who will lack the home advantage that Finland enjoyed.

Dan Akin has been effective in the paint for GB at the EuroBasket

Miami Heat sophomore Pelle Larsson stars for the Nordic side who are looking to make an imprint in Group B.

Larsson was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft last year and has since developed into a versatile guard.

He can handle the ball, defend to a high level, and excels in off-ball movement. He scored 10 points in Sweden’s opener against Finland, but missed out in their defeat to Germany due to illness.

If Larsson is fit, GB’s defenders must keep an eye on him at all times.

Ludvig Hakanson exploded for Sweden against the hosts, Finland, in their first match of the campaign.

The point guard produced a 28-point, 5-assist masterclass, pushing the ‘Wolfpack’ all the way to the final moments, making important buckets down the stretch.

Although his performance against reigning World Champions Germany was more subdued, his ability to hit shots from beyond the arc and score the ball efficiently will be something to watch out for.

Young sharpshooter Melwin Pantzar will no doubt be on Head Coach Marc Steutel’s list of potential threats.

The 6’2” guard is readily ignitable and torched Germany from three-point land in their fixture.

His movement off the ball and willingness to shoot immediately off the catch complement a side that looks to find the open man.

Pelle Larsson in action against Finland

Like GB, Sweden won just one of their five EuroBasket preparation matches, narrowly defeating Poland 88-82, thanks to Larsson’s 32-point eruption.

They finished their tour in Stockholm, where they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final moments when Artur Konontsuk splashed in a three-pointer for Estonia, in Stockholm.

In the EuroBasket tournament, Sweden experienced a similar near miss. They produced a memorable performance against the hosts, Finland, with Hakanson’s 28-point scoring binge driving a late comeback that almost won them the game.

Unfortunately for Sweden, vital shots from Lauri Markkanen and 18-year-old Miikka Muurinen, also known as ‘Slim Jesus,’ saw Finland snatch victory.

In their second match, Sweden faced a strong and relentless Germany side, winners of the 2023 World Cup.

Sweden put up stiff resistance, but Germany reached a 100+ point tally for the second time this campaign, propelled by the scoring prowess of NBA stars Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner.

This is Sweden’s first appearance at the EuroBasket for 12 years, having last qualified back in 2012.

They have competed across 11 editions of the competition, with their best finish coming in 11th place in 1995.

You can stream GB’s match against Sweden live and for free on Courtside 1891 at 2:30 pm (BST) on Saturday, 30 August.