Centers are powerful, offense is very good, defense will need tightening

Croatia's men's national basketball team returns from Hamburg with a significant win over European runner-up Turkey and a competitive performance against world champion Germany. The team secured a narrow 95-94 victory against Turkey, ranked 11th by FIBA, and suffered a manageable 87-96 defeat to Germany, the current world and European champions and second-ranked team globally.

These results are particularly encouraging given Croatia's 34th place in the FIBA rankings. The article suggests the team's current squad, led by Tomislav Mijatović, possesses talent that far exceeds its ranking. This discrepancy is partly attributed to Croatia's absence from recent World Cups and the EuroBasket, which impacts the FIBA ranking system that relies on results from official competitions over eight years.

Several key players, including Ivica Zubac and Mario Hezonja, have committed to the national team this summer, motivated by past absences from major tournaments. Zubac contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds against Germany, while Hezonja scored 17 points without a miss from the field, showcasing his athleticism and versatility. The team's performance was hampered by 21 turnovers and strong defense from Germany.

Croatia now focuses on upcoming qualifying games against Latvia and the Netherlands. With a strong roster available, the team is optimistic about securing a place in the next World Cup. The article highlights the team's potential and the importance of these upcoming matches for their international standing.