Stefansson headlines Iceland’s 16-strong preliminary squad
REYKJAVIK (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Following an approximately three-week long first stage of training camp with the participation of 41 players, Iceland head coach Craig Pedersen has announced
REYKJAVIK (FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers) – Following an approximately three-week long first stage of training camp with the participation of 41 players, Iceland head coach Craig Pedersen has announced the 16-man preliminary squad that will continue with preparations for the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers that tip off on 31 August.
| Iceland preliminary squad for FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers | |||
| Kristofer Acox | Hlynur Baeringsson | Brynjar Bjornsson | Elvar Már Fridriksson |
| Logi Gunnarsson | Martin Hermannsson | Darri Hilmarsson | Tryggvi Hlinason |
| Axel Karason | Ragnar Nathanaelsson | Olafur Olafsson | Haukur Helgi Palsson |
| Jon Arnor Stefansson | Aegir Steinarsson | Sigurdur Gunnar Thorsteinsson | Hordur Axel Vilhjalmsson |
Iceland’s big star, Jon Arnor Stefansson, headlines the 16-strong list. The veteran shooting guard led the Nordic nation in scoring and passing, with 13.6 points and 5.8 assists per game at FIBA EuroBasket 2015, which was Iceland’s first appearance in a major international tournament.
Hlynur Baeringsson who had led Iceland in rebounds and steals last September is on the squad too, despite the fact he turned 34 in July. The team also includes all-round forward Haukur Helgi Palsson, who had averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists at FIBA EuroBasket 2015.
Hópur kvöldsins klár https://t.co/MfB38ezlm2 #eurobasket2017
— KKÍ (@kkikarfa) 12 August 2016
Point guard Pavel Ermolinskij has been dropped from the preliminary squad and, together with veteran Helgi Magnusson who was not included on the initial 41-man list, are the only two players from the historic FIBA EuroBasket 2015 side to not return this summer.
The oldest player on the 16-strong team is shooting guard Logi Gunnarsson, who turns 35 in September, while the youngest is 19-year-old center Tryggvi Hlinason who stands at 2.15m and is therefore Iceland’s only seven-footer along with Ragnar Agust Nathanaelsson.
Iceland have travelled to Austria in order to take part at the weekend in their first warm-up tournament of the summer, where they will go up against Poland, Slovenia and the host nation. Coach Pedersen has brought along 14 players to Austria while Darri Hilmarsson and Olafur Olafsson have stayed home and will re-join preparations upon the team’s return.
Pedersen’s men will go up against Belgium, Cyprus and Switzerland in Group A of the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers. Iceland face the Swiss at home in the opener.
FIBA