Germany's Herkenhoff not expecting anything for free

HAGEN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2017) - Germany forward Philipp Herkenhoff knows what to expect at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2017 - namely that his team will have to fight for everything.

Herkenhoff has twice played for Germany in the past eight months with differing results at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 and FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017.

"I learned that you have to give your best for every single possession and nobody will give anything for free."Philipp HerkenhoffPhilipp Herkenhoff

Germany had realistic expectations of a podium spot at the U18 continental tournament but lost in the Semi-Finals and 3rd Place Game to finish fourth. At the U19 global spectacle in Cairo, Germany were missing two of their top players and lost to the United States in the Quarter-Finals before bouncing back to grab fifth place.

"I learned that you have to give your best for every single possession and nobody will give anything for free," said Herkenhoff, who averaged 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1 assist in Germany's first appearance at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since 1987.

Germany's game against Egypt on the final day of the Group Phase was one of Herkenhoff's most lasting memories of the tournament.

"It might be a one-time experience to play against the host of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in front of thousands of people," he said. 

Herkenhoff, who signed a professional contract with second division ProA side Rasta Vechta shortly after returning from Cairo, will be one of two players on the German team to play in Slovak Republic after appearing in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017, the other being guard Philipp Hadenfeldt.

"A European Championship and being able to play for Germany is always something special," said Herkenhoff, who will be making his fourth appearance for Germany in total, including the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015. "So I am pretty excited to play my second championship this summer."

The Germans, who in December reached the U18 top four for the first time since 1986, will be taking on Montenegro, Russia and Turkey in Group A.

"Our first goal is to reach the Quarter-Finals. After that we want give our best to achieve the best possible result," the 6ft 9in (2.06m) Herkenhoff said. "I know it's not going to be easy, but our coaches prepared us well and we worked hard the last few weeks. I think we can reach our goals."