By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Cologne – One of the most anticipated EuroBasket Group B games began in the worst manner imaginable.
During the tipoff of Slovenia vs. co-host Germany, center Mike Tobey jumped to catch the ball and then awkwardly landed on the referee’s foot when the latter didn’t let allow the player the necessary space.
It was quite a scare since it initially looked that Tobey rolled his ankle badly. He was forced to go to the locker room limping and in visible pain.
“They threw the ball up, and I landed… as players when we are both jumping, we are used to landing in a certain way, so that doesn’t happen,” Tobey said when asked to describe what happened during tipoff. “But I guess the referee was too close for too long. Injuries and that kind of stuff happen but it’s frustrating when it’s something that probably could’ve been avoidable.”
Even though it looked like the game is over for Tobey, a couple of minutes later he returned to court ready for action. The new Barcelona big manactually scored eight minutes through 12 minutes in the first half.
“I knew it was an important game for us,” Tobey said. “While your ankle is stil warm, it’s easy to play. Tomorrow is going to bother me a little bit more.” This “tomorrow” is bringing Slovenia against France in a battle for the top spot in Group B.
The more the match of Slovenia vs. Germany progressed the more the hurt ankle seemed to catch up with Tobey and prevent him from operating at full strength, especially inside the paint.
He overall took six 3-pointers and just three attempts for two, finishing 10 points plus eight rebounds.
“It didn’t feel great, obviously,” Tobey admitted. “I wasn’t able to really jump too great. But I knew it was an important game for us so I wanted to play with my guys.”
Tobey and the rest of the Slovenian squad ultimately handed Germany its first loss in the tournament and got a win of multiple profits. First, it was the victory itself that gives the defending champions an opportunity to claim top spot in Group B.
Then it was how Luka Doncic played. After struggling with his shooting in the most of the previous matches and facing criticism about his condition, the Dallas Mavericks superstar wreaked vengeance and havoc by dropping a personal EuroBasket-high 36 points and absolutely torching the German defenses.
“He was amazing tonight. It’s great to play to him. Sometimes it’s just fun to watch him,” Tobey mentioned with a wide smile. “Especially on the switches, I turn my head around and I’m like ‘Oooh that was nice'”
Slovenia and Tobey can secure first place in the Group with a victory over France. It will be a rematch of last year’s Olympic Games semifinal where Slovenia suffered a heartbreak and France won thanks to a Nicolas Batum block on Klemen Prepelic’s layup in the game’s dying seconds.
“It’s one of the games that you’ll probably be haunted. But I don’t think this EuroBasket is necessarily for ‘redemption’,” Tobey mentioned . “We want to win in any tournament. We are here and we want to win.”