“We have to take care of these children”

Wednesday, August 13, a few hours before Romania's victory in front of North Macedonia (79-66)which meant the qualification in the preliminaries of the 2027 World Championship, the U16 national team defeated Switzerland by 67-53 and ensured its maintenance in the first division of the European Championship.

Mihai Silvășan, about the junior from the national: “Not to be considered less equipped than other players in Europe”

In the summer of 2024, both the national U16 and the national U20 obtained promotion in division of the European Championship. This summer, both teams managed to stay in the first step in the continental basketball.

Romania U20 finished in 11th placewith 2 victories and 5 defeats, while Romania U16, after success with Switzerland, will fight for places 9-12. In addition, Romania U18 was close to promotion in the first division, But he finished the European Championship, Division B, on the 4th place and missed a huge chance.

Responsible for building a team at the national senior, Mihai Silvășan noted the good results obtained by the juniors this summer. Asked by GSP.ro what the future of the national team looks like, the 40 -year -old technician replied as follows:

“I think it was a good summer for the Romanian basketball. I stayed in Division A with the two nationals present there, what happened I think never since this competition system at the junior level.

We seem, in each generation, children in whom we can think that they can be important, in the future, from the national team. But the road is long. The fact that a player is good at U16, U18 or even U20 does not guarantee a high level of seniors at all. There are different things. ”

Mihai Silvășan, coach of the Romanian national/photo: FIBA.Basketball

Also, Silvășan spoke about the mentality that the Romanian juniors should have:

“We have to take care of these children and we have to teach them to fight for absolutely everything, to be winners and to have correct mentality – they should not be considered below, less valuable or less endowed than other players in Europe. They have to fight for what they think they deserve and believe that with this mentality as many Romanian players we will be able to create, in the future, a strong national. ”

On Friday, August 15, starting at 5:30 pm, the national U16 of Romania will be duel with Germany, in the fight for 9-12 places. The same day, the national women's national basketball will start its adventure at The European Championship U16, Division Awhich is organized in Pitești. The tricolors will take place with France, starting at 18:00.