Germany will face Slovenia in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals without head coach Alex Mumbru on the sidelines.
The German Basketball Federation confirmed on Monday that Mumbru has handed over head coaching duties to assistant Alan Ibrahimagic. The move comes after Mumbru admitted he has not fully recovered from health issues that sidelined him earlier in the tournament.
Mumbru, 46, was hospitalized in Tampere on August 25 due to an acute abdominal condition and missed Germany’s group stage. He returned for the Round of 16 against Portugal, but he acknowledged that he lacked the energy needed to lead from the bench.
“In the last few days I realized that I’m not physically ready to coach the team actively during games,” Mumbru said in a statement, via sport1.de. He added that Ibrahimagic would serve as head coach for the remainder of the competition, though he will remain on the bench in Riga.
Germany advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Portugal 85–58 in the Round of 16. The team had dominated Group B with a perfect 5–0 record, including victories over Lithuania and host Finland.
Slovenia, led by Luka Doncic, booked its place in the last eight with an 84–77 win over Italy. The Slovenians finished third in Group D behind France and Poland but showed resilience in knockout play.
Germany’s roster, headlined by Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder, and Daniel Theis, enters the matchup as one of the tournament’s top contenders. Slovenia counters with Doncic’s scoring and playmaking, backed by veteran support from the likes of Klemen Prepelic.
The coaching change adds a new layer to the quarterfinal showdown, scheduled for Wednesday night in Riga. Germany will aim to continue its unbeaten run, while Slovenia looks to repeat its EuroBasket 2017 triumph led by Doncic.
Despite stepping back, Mumbru emphasized the unity of the coaching staff. “We continue to work very closely together, and I believe this is the best way for us to help the team achieve the greatest possible success,” he said.
Germany vs. Slovenia tips off at 21:00 local time, with a semifinal spot on the line.
