The International break began, the Norwegian players made their way to Oslo, where they would begin their international camp. Their first game was against Spain, even though it was a friendly, that game would be an opportunity for the Norwegians to redeem themselves after their awful Euros display.
The players started to arrive at the Thon Hotel, the Instagram account manager recorded as the players walked through the doors and greeted each other. "Kiddooo" Elisabeth Terland greeted her U19 teammate Y/N. The players who were still at the lobby gathered around the new arrivals and greeted Y/N. "Welcome to the group Y/N" said Engen grabbing the winger into a hug. Y/N, surprised by Ingrid's touchiness remained rather stiff, "Th- Thanks" replied Y/N as she pat Engen on the back. Ingrid laughed "Aw you are a shy one huh" she mocked, making Y/N blush in the middle of the team huddle. Thankfully, Elisabeth noticed Y/N in a tight spot and discreetly saved her, she grabbed Y/N's hand and took her away "Let's goo we gotta go pick our rooms" she laughed
The team started their usual team building rituals and the first training session soon followed. The team was preparing their first friendly of the International break against Spain.
Sadly, Spain were having some trouble of their own. Some of their most important players had sent the Spanish Federation a letter demanding changes in their International camp. The whole situation escalated so much, that said players ended up being shunned from the National team, which meant that Norway would effectively play against a much weaker Spain.
This fact was forwarded by Hege Riise, the Norwegian National Team manager during their first team briefing "It might be a weaker Spanish squad, but we can't underestimate them" said the manager "We have to go out there and play our football. The new call ups will help refreshen our play". The manager soon introduced the new call ups and told them their roles in the International team "We are starting with a clean slate, I will line up my best XI based on our training sessions" announced the manager "If work hard, you will earn a spot in that XI" she added. The secondary manager soon added "C'mon girls, get to work and earn your spot here" as he pointed to the already set up drills.
Game day arrived, the team looked united and in the little time they had together, they had already developed automatisms and working partnerships all over the pitch. A Norway in it's rebuilding stage was about to play against a weakened Spain squad. This fact didn't make the match any less important. "Let's go out there and make Hege and our fans proud" declared the captain, Maren Mjelde.
The first half was pretty stale, 0-0 and it looked like nobody had the hunger for goals. In the changing room, Hege went off on the players "Where is the hunger? Do you even want to wear the shirt?" she asked angrily "You girls have 15 minutes to show me why you deserve a second call up" stated Hege as she left the room.
"Hege is right" stated Engen "We haven't looked like ourselves" she added. The captain soon chimed in "We know what we have to do" she started "Let's go out there" she continued "No fear, no more half assing the game" said Maren. Much to everyones surprise, Y/N joined the motivational speech "Let's do what we do best" said the winger "Play fast and score goals"
Adidas Eurocamp Announces Roster of Top Next-Generation Basketball Prospects
Adidas Basketball has revealed the roster of top draft-eligible athletes, seasoned coaches, and special guests for the 17th edition of the premier pre-draft scouting event, adidas Eurocamp. The event will take place from June 1-3 at Ghirada La Città Dello Sport in Treviso, Italy. This renowned talent showcase aims to discover the next generation of star athletes, ages 18-22, who aspire to pursue professional basketball careers.
Led by Coaching Director Bill Bayno and Scouting Director Gianluca Pascucci, the high-profile coaching lineup includes David Vanterpool (Washington Wizards), Jason Terry (Utah Jazz), Dave Joerger (Milwaukee Bucks), Jordan Ott (formerly Los Angeles Lakers), Chris Fleming (Chicago Bulls), and Rico Hines (Philadelphia 76ers). These coaches will train and mentor the elite group of players invited to this year’s camp.
Joining the esteemed group of coaches and mentors are adidas NBA athletes such as Nikola Jović (Miami Heat), Austin Rivers (NBA veteran and current ESPN commentator), and Vasilije Micić (Charlotte Hornets), with more special guests to be announced. Additionally, NBA future-Hall of Famer and adidas signature athlete James Harden (LA Clippers) will make a special appearance to support the Harden Vol. 8 "Eurocamp" PE, which is exclusive to this year’s adidas Eurocamp athletes and participants.
The following teams and draft-eligible standouts are slated to participate in this year’s adidas Eurocamp:
Team Next Gen
Jack Kayil (Germany) – MVP of the U18 Final Four Tournament
Savo Drezgic (Serbia) – ABA League champion 2023
Egor Denim (Russia) – FIBA U16 European Challengers 2021
Nikola Bundalo (USA) – Consensus No. 1 player in Ohio, the No. 7 power forward in his class, and a top-30 overall player in the class of 2025
Michael Ruzic (Croatia) – Hoops Agents Player of the Week
David Mirkovic (Montenegro) – 2023 U18 Euro Championship B All-Tournament Team
Team World
Wei Zhao (China) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023
Mohammad Amini (Iran) – France Espoirs Elite 2022-23 and Euroleague Adidas Next Generation
Lucas Giovannetti (Argentina) – FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023
Assane Sankare (Senegal) – U18 Next Generation Team Paris
Julius Halaifonua (New Zealand) – Ambassadors Trophy for Male Junior Player of the Year
Team Eurocamp
Nikola Djurisic (Serbia) – ABA League Top Prospect 2023, Euroleague NGT champion 2022
Mohamed Diawara (France) – FIBA U18 European Championship 2023
Martin Kalu (Germany) – FIBA U16 Challenger 2021
Mouhamed Faye (Senegal) – NIJT All-Tournament Team 2022-2023, Zadar Tournament (ANGT) All-Tournament Team 2022-2023
Ousmane Ndiaye (Senegal) – Early entry candidate for NBA Draft 2024
Bogoljub Markovic (Serbia) – MVP of the ABA U19 final tournament 2024
Reynan Dos Santos (Brazil) – All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2022, MVP of the FIBA U18 South American Championship 2022
Ruben Dominguez (Spain) – Silver medal FIBA U16 European Championship 2018, MVP of FIBA U16 European Championship 2019
Michael Caicedo (Spain) – ACB All-Young Players Team 2023
Team USA
Darryn Peterson (USA) – Top 3 HS prospect Class of 2025, Consensus top-5 2025 guard and U16 USAB Gold Medalist
Björn led U19 to European Championship gold - aims for new: "More for real now"
BÅSTAD. In 2015, Nathalie Björn led the Swedish U19 national team to European Championship gold.
Now she is chasing her first European Championship gold with the A national team.
- The experience I got with me there, I take with me here, she says to Fotbollskanalen.
Seven years ago, Sweden's U19 national team was successful in Israel and was able to salvage a Swedish European Championship gold. A penalty win against Germany in the semifinals led to a final where Sweden defeated Spain 3-1.
That championship was played by, among others, Stina Blackstenius, Rebecka Blomqvist, Filippa Angeldal and Nathalie Björn was team captain.
- It was a long time ago now. That championship was shitty and a very unique journey and it is clear that it is different here because now it is more for real. But the experience I got with me there, I obviously take with me in here, she says to Fotbollskanalen.
Now they have a chance to get another gold. Sweden enters the European Championships in England as pre-favorites and is highest ranked in the Fifa ranking of all teams.
- We have said before that we may come in as favorites but we still have to play the matches. It will be a great journey and we will do everything to go as far as possible.
Is there anything you talked about in the group, that you already have a European Championship gold?
- No, we have not talked much about it but I will refresh my memory for them later.
U19 has two golds that they took within a few years - but they have not yet reached all the way with the A national team, what do you think makes them not do it?
- I do not know, it's a tough question. But it is clear that every match should be played and regardless of whether you are pre-favorites, anything can happen within 90 minutes. We hope to be able to change that and bring home a gold - I think we deserve that.
Blågults EC starts on July 9th when they face the Netherlands in the first group game. Then Switzerland and Portugal wait.
baffles me that lamine was called to the main spain nt, and not the u-19. like why.. he already plays a lot for barça when let's be real he's still too young for a full 90 minutes. if anything happens to him i will bomb the rfef hq
I think it’s reasonable that he’s skipping the u19 just bc he’s basically a first team player but both barcelona and spain really haven’t learned a thing from pedri and gavi.
I will say that the one thing they’ve been alright (not GOOD per se but alright) with is not having him play the full 90 often. He hasn’t played a 90 yet for spain (good!) and minus a brief period in January-February for Barcelona, I think he hasn’t had a consistent run of full 90s. It’s still a crazy amount of minutes for a 16 year old and I am worried about the Olympics this summer bc I’m sure he’ll go to the Euros.