The Azerbaijani national men's basketball team has the strength to defeat Ireland in the preliminary round of the EURO-2029 qualifiers.
"Report" informs that the head coach of the national team, Tahir Bakshiyev, said this in a statement to the press service of the Azerbaijan Basketball Federation.
The head coach emphasized that the main focus is on the first match against Ireland:
"Our main focus is on the match against Ireland. We have analyzed the opponent's games. Our naturalized player will also join the team directly there. We will also have two training sessions there. We believe that we have the strength. If we fight well, we will return victorious from the away match".
The expert said that despite the lack of time for preparation, the condition of the basketball players is good:
"We have little time. The condition of the guys is normal, we have had good training sessions. Only Akbar Mammadov and Ismail Abdullayev will not be able to help us due to injuries. Everything is fine with the other players. We know that the game against Ireland will be difficult. They also started with two defeats like us. In addition, they will play in their own field. I can't say anything now. There are 4 games ahead. We don't know how Luxembourg will play at home. We must think about our own games".
It should be noted that the Azerbaijani national team will hold its next matches within the qualifying round on February 27 against Ireland and on March 2 against the North Macedonia team.