Stars Reagan McGarrity and Amanda Zahui point to Sweden’s European Championship qualifiers

After two consecutive quarter-final appearances, Sweden failed to qualify for this year’s FIBA ​​Europe Championship. The qualifiers for the next tournament begin next month with matches against Great Britain and Denmark, and today the Sweden squad was presented.

Two of Sweden’s best players are missing: Girona player Regan Magarity and Amanda Zahoi, who now play for the Israeli club Maccabi Benuth Ashdod.

Zahui refused

Both refused to play, says national team director Lars Johansson.

– Of course, we very much wanted Amanda to join, but she announced late on Tuesday that she did not want to join for personal reasons, so she did not make herself available for selection, explains Johansson.

– We had conversations with Reagan McGarity this week. She has a problematic injury history and sees an opportunity to work on rehabilitating the injury during the national team’s window of recovery.

You play full time in Spain, how do you feel that she still refuses to join the national team?

– Of course we think this is boring. We would very much like her to be with us, but we also have to respect that she sees it from a holistic perspective. Regan won’t say no forever, but she figures that in this window she needs to prioritize recovering from her injury rather than playing a couple of tough games.

Clubs are also employers of players. You have to be loyal in two ways, and unfortunately that happens sometimes. But it’s unfortunate and sad and hopefully Regan will be part of the next national team window.

Rajasic: “Shock”

Nick Rajasic, SVT’s sports expert, was surprised when he saw the Swedish team.

– The continuation of Ildebrinkarna (Frida and Elin) with Louis Halvarsson was a shock. I think their last games were their last, and that’s the feeling you get, adding:

– But at the same time it is needed. Without Magarity, Zahoi and Pinta Drameh (non-club and unelected) I think it would have looked really difficult. So I understand how coaches think.

SVT Sport broadcasts Sweden’s two matches in the European Championship qualifiers.

Rajasic in the squad: