Netherlands coach Van Helfteren: ''People are really interested in seeing their national teams''
DELFT (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Netherlands coach Toon van Helfteren says the proof is in the pudding, that the World Cup Qualifiers and the increased visibility they have brought for national teams in Europe have been very good for basketball.
"Oh yes, for sure it's good," the veteran play-caller said to FIBA.basketball on Thursday. "Usually, the FIBA programs for international basketball are in the summer time but summer time is not necessarily basketball time.
"We've played in November, in February. Next time is June, almost summer time, but because we have a chance to qualify (for the Second Round), I expect a lot of fans will be there."
“WHEREVER WE PLAY, THERE IS EXCITEMENT. PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING THEIR NATIONAL TEAM PLAY.” Van Helfteren
The Dutch began their Qualifiers campaign in November with a 68-61 victory over Croatia in Rotterdam but then fell at Romania, 75-68. In February, Van Helfteren's side had two games on the road, at Italy and then Croatia, and lost both. The Italians won, 80-62, and Croatia edged an 82-78 thriller.
One constant in all of the games for the Netherlands was the buzz in the stands.
"Wherever we play, there is excitement," Van Helfteren said. "People are really interested in seeing their national team play. I honestly believe that playing during the season, you have less time to prepare but the games generate interest, a lot of interest. And it's good."
Van Helfteren is disappointed that his team didn't get at least one win in February. After the loss to Italy, the Netherlands looked for a sweep of Croatia a few days later. After falling behind by 15 points early in Zadar, they battled back and moved in front of Croatia late in the third quarter.
"WE'RE MAKING STEPS, WE'RE GETTING CLOSER, LITTLE BY LITTLE, TO BEING COMPETITIVE AGAIN, EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE NEXT TIME." Van Helfteren
In the fourth quarter, the Netherlands went up by three but did not press home the advantage.
Instead, Zeljko Sakic hit a game-tying 3-pointer and then Filip Kruslin made a pair of go-ahead free-throws that put the hosts in the lead to stay, though victory was not assured until the last minute.
Veteran guard Arvin Slagter played well at Croatia
Slow starts killed the Dutch in both games.
"We needed a quarter to get used to the physical play, the fast play, the good play of Italy and Croatia," Van Helfteren said. "Italy doubled us, 26-13 after 10 minutes and Croatia came close to that. Both times, we had to put in a lot of effort just to get back in the game. The effort was there, but maybe a little too late.
"That cost so much energy that by the time we were leading by 3 against Croatia, we came out on the short end."
Reflecting on the two defeats, Van Helfteren says that there needs to be some perspective.
"We lost to countries that I believe we're still not supposed to beat on the road," he said. "Both countries were missing their best players."
Italy, though, are playing as well as they have for a long time with the teams they have put on the floor.
"Three years ago, five years ago, 10 years ago, no one thought we'd be close to beating these teams, or being competitive," Van Helfteren said. "We are getting closer.
"In November, we did beat Croatia at home but we didn't do ourselves any favors by not playing well at Romania, no disrespect to them because they out hustled us and out played us over there.
"THREE YEARS AGO, FIVE YEARS AGO, 10 YEARS AGO, NO ONE THOUGHT WE'D BE CLOSE TO BEATING THESE TEAMS, OR BEING COMPETITIVE. WE ARE GETTING CLOSER." Van Helfteren
Even so, Van Helfteren says it's important that the Dutch team is at least playing games and moving in the right direction. He believes it is.
"We're making steps, we're getting closer, little by little, to being competitive again, even more competitive next time," the coach said. "When I took over again in 2013, that's what I wanted to change. That fighting spirit wasn't there. The drive to play for the national team wasn't there.
"We've been able to change that. Somehow in 2014, we managed to qualify for the championships (EuroBasket) in 2015, but my goal as coach for the Dutch national team is to be part of the top 24 of European basketball all the time. Unfortunately we were not in 2017."
The Netherlands finished second in their qualification group to Germany and missed out on last year's EuroBasket.
FIBA
