Armenian Basketball Team Gears Up for Yerevan Showdown Against Albania in World Championship Qualifier

As the anticipation builds for the second game in the qualifying round of the World Basketball Championship, Armenia's national basketball team is leaving no stone unturned in preparation for their clash against the Albanian national team. The much-anticipated match is scheduled for February 25 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan.

In the lead-up to the crucial home game, the team engaged in a focused pre-match training session today. Players took the opportunity to address the media, providing insights into their mindset and readiness for the upcoming challenge. The Armenian Report's sports correspondent, Gevorg Malakyan, was on the scene to capture the team's preparations.

Notably, head coach Rex Kalamian was absent from the training session, with Alex Zampier stepping into the coaching role for the day. In response to a question from The Armenian Report, the assistant coach expressed his unwavering commitment to lead the team in these pivotal matches. He praised the development of basketball in Armenia and highlighted the team's preparedness for the upcoming game.

Chris Jones, the standout player from the previous match, where he earned the title of the Most Valuable Player, emphasized that the team is solely focused on the upcoming game, leaving the past behind. With determination in their eyes, the players echoed their collective goal: victory. Point guard Andre Spight-Mkrtchyan, boasting an impressive unbeaten record in Armenia, expressed his eagerness to extend that streak.

It's worth recalling that in the initial group stage match, the Armenian national team faced a tough challenge, losing to the Austrian national team with a score of 91-106. As the team rallies for redemption, fans eagerly await the outcome of this pivotal clash on the road to the World Basketball Championship.