Luxembourg men's national basketball team;
Credit: antpics@pt.lu via FLBB
On Thursday 20 February 2025, Luxembourg’s men’s national basketball team (FLBB team) will play their final match against Norway in the World Cup 2027 European pre-qualifiers.
Ken Diederich’s team currently sits in second place in Group B, having secured one victory in three matches with a point difference of -16. The “Red Lions” claimed their only win a year ago during the first qualification window, defeating Romania 76:72 away. However, Romania later avenged their loss and also went on to beat Norway. This allowed them to take the top spot in the group with a 2:1 record and a point difference of +15.
Their upcoming opponent, Norway, has played only two games so far, securing an away win against Luxembourg (72:58) before falling to Romania (62:75). They currently hold a point difference of +1. This means that Ken Diederich’s team will only keep their chances of progressing alive if they win the game by the most points possible.
Speaking to Chronicle.lu, the Red Lions’ head coach outlined the key to success: “I think the key will be how we start the game and if we are able to keep a very high intensity all game. We must limit Harald Frey and Chris Ndow. Norway is led by these two players, who are playing at an elite level and they have good shooting and athletes. Their size is similar to ours, but they are having a home game, so they have the pressure.”
Harald Frey and Chris Ndow played a decisive role in Norway’s away win against Luxembourg, contributing more than half of their team’s points. Shooting guards Ndow and Frey scored 16 and 23 points, respectively, making 8 out of 17 (48.5%) three-point attempts combined.
Looking at Luxembourg’s roster, there has been just one change compared to the previous game. Yannick Verbeelen has been called up to the squad, marking his first appearance in the World Cup 2027 European pre-qualifiers. Head coach Diederich commented: “Yannick is playing a good season, and after a few times missing the cut, he deserves a chance to be on the roster. He practised very well.”
The team’s roster is as follows: Kreps Malcolm (Den Helder Suns, Netherlands); Delgado Ivan (Sindri, Iceland); Gutenkauf Philippe (Etzella Ettelbruck); Grosber Dorian (ALBA Berlin, Germany); Grün Thomas (Basket Esch); Kalmes Joe (T71 Dudelange); Kovac Ben (Besançon Avenir Comtois, France); Laurent Alex (Amicale Steesel); Logelin Max (Sparta Bertrange); Rugg Clancy (Basket Esch); Verbeelen Yannick (Sparta Bertrange); Vujakovic Oliver (Résidence Walferdange).
According to Ken Diederich, all players of the FLBB team “arrived well, with a little injury to Ivan Delgado.”
In the second round of the World Cup 2027 European pre-qualifiers, the three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team will advance to the next stage of the competition.
Luxembourg will face Norway on Thursday 20 February 2025 at 19:00 at the Nordstrand Arena in Oslo.
IK
