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What the hell?! Smol went after 48 seconds down. So we played the whole game without ony of our three main backcourt players. For today I'm finished.
I will post an explanation why I played CT and this line up tomorrow.

Before I get to the point with yesterdays game, I want you to tell what I thought before the game.
Sweden is now at a peak in its current developement. We have a strong S5 (unfortunately not for the next 2 weeks) and for the next 2-4 seasons the team will only get stronger.
With this said, we are now and for at least the next three seasons in a "win now" situation. I don't want to play nice and to the ideal of the other NT managers. I want to reach the next round, I want to try to get the team as far as possible. A 3rd place during the european championship is the same like a 6th place: you are out!

Why CT?
I took a look at the schedule, our opponents and their schedules. The result was not so great. We have to get two wins out of the four games. And even this could end with a third place. We played these guys during the last 2-3 seasons several times. I know that they are hard to beat and that without a CT it is even harder. Slovenia was a sure CT option. Both teams with enthusiasm 5, neutral playground and the start of the season. It was a now or never action.
Even after the injury of Säfen and the problem with Gustavsson, I kept CT. Waiting would result in a loss against Slovenia and I was sure they will play TIE because of our problems. I took the risk and expected a strong game from Smol as our PG and Westerlund as the connecting part at C. The result is clear.

What now?
I burned the enthusiasm... so it will be a little bit harder to get back in track. But if someone thinks that means I won't try to get the best results for Sweden, keep dreaming. I will keep it like always: only in the best interest for the team.

At this point I would like to take a look at a player. Westerlund was fantastic. He was our scoring machine during the first half. But in his shadow, there was another player who had a lot to do. Lövlind. He doesn't look like a frightening player, but he was great during his first start. Besides his result in the boxscore, he had to deal with Berlak (he was his defender) and Klavc (had to play against him in the offense). Klavc fouled him several times and against Berlak... he is our best allround defender, but Berlak is in another league.

Again, sorry for the high risk, but I had to try. I wish you a good week and hope that your players stay healthy.

After last weeks loss, we had to get back some enthusiasm. The Netherlands had a easy game in the first week and it came down to a light version of an all star game. A lot of scoring, almost no defense. We hold the diferense between -7 and -15.
Macedonia used our trick against Slovenia and crunshed them. And on to, they injured on of the starters. So they did it better than we -.- The result was a 115:99 and it shows that Macedonia is indeed dangerous. The will lose the next two games with ties, go for two easy wins and then crunsh us in the last game. We have something to look forward... yeah -.-
Croatia and Lithuania, our next opponents, are unbeaten and unscrached at first and second. These two games will decide if we can earn a chance for the next round or not.
I really hope that Säfen comes back on Sunday and has good game shape. The others, Birgersson, Westerlund, Smol etc. played well, but the dutch guards had to much room for scoring.

I had a little chat with Cowstreet, the dutch NT manager. They started a trainee project several season ago. Something like ours. Just with a delay. Their first trainees are 22, ours are already 25. So we have at least there a small advantage. Other NTs copied the idea too... No wonder we can't get away from them

Btw: Smol trains like a young boy... 143 TSP and he has no intention to stop.

Säfen was injured...
It's like this season is jinxed.

We still adore you.
Fight on!

Thanks. Unfortunately it doesn't change the fact, that I couldn't use our last chance for the next round. With yesterday's loss we are out. I had some time to go through some stats and wrote already a couple of NT player managers a message.
During the next weeks they will try to help out and improve their guys.
How akward this season is, you can see if you look at Macedonia. They crunshed Slovenia and beat The Netherlands yesterday. The win against The Netherlands is still a surprise, especially with this difference.
It looks like we could be the deciding factor during the last game day...

this season is a huge disaster! it started with the injury of Säfen in the first week and the problems keep coming. Smol was injured at the start of q2, Birgersson was fouled out at the start of q3 and our defensive specialist, which is perfectly suited for the RnG/3-2 game was destroyed by a 24 y/o 90 C. Not one game went according to the plan. We have more injuries alone this season than in all season before... together. It's just frustrating, that our team couldn't show its full potential yet -.-

Last edited by Nachtmahr at 2/19/2018 1:50:32 PM

Before the last game day, it could be interestig to take a closer look to our group.
Lithuania is first and will play against Slovenia.
Croatia is third and will play against the Netherlands.
And Macedonia is fourth and will play against us.

There is a "bombastic" scenario possible.
Lithuania wins, the Netherlands win and we win.
This will result in a four team clash... Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia and the Netherlands would all have a 4:3 an compete for second place. I don't think Lithuania will tank their last game, neither will we. So the last game day will bring three "linked" games and the outcome could be decided by just a couple of points.

And that was the final point in a dramatic, horrific and bad luck season. Currently I am shocked how bad it went with such a heavy loaded starting five.
During the next weeks I will do everything I can to bring the team back next season. For me, it will be do or die. If I make such mistakes again like this season, I will make a ajustment than.

We still love you!
For sure the ball was not our friend this championship.
Keep at it and I love to read what you write.