Austria replace one player before showdown with North Macedonia

Austria have made a late change to their roster ahead of the August window of the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 pre-qualifiers, a switch that will also affect the matchup with North Macedonia in Vienna. ([news.basketballaustria.at](https://news.basketballaustria.at/News_Detail.aspx?id=246236&menueid=19428))

Head coach Aramis Naglić has called up Erik Dic to replace Daniel Köppel, who is not yet fully recovered after a stem‑cell treatment on his left knee and will miss the upcoming fixtures. Dic is included for the away game in Cyprus on 27 August and for the home meeting with North Macedonia on 30 August 2026 at 16:05 in Sport Arena Vienna. ([news.basketballaustria.at](https://news.basketballaustria.at/news-aramis-naglic-ist-neuer-nationalteamtrainer-der-herren?id=223633&imageid=891712&l=deutsch&menueid=19428&tab=1&utm_source=openai))

The match on 30 August is expected to carry special weight in the three‑team pool (Austria, Cyprus, North Macedonia) and comes immediately after the trip to Nicosia; Austria will be eager to field a fully prepared side at home as they aim for an important victory against North Macedonia. ([news.basketballaustria.at](https://news.basketballaustria.at/News_Detail.aspx?id=246236&menueid=19428))

For Erik Dic this will be his second appearance for the Austrian senior team: he made his debut in early July and featured in two national‑team games then. The player is described as being from Salzburg and now joins the squad preparing for the August double‑header. ([news.basketballaustria.at](https://news.basketballaustria.at/News_Detail.aspx?id=246236&menueid=19428))

Naglić summoned the squad for the start of preparation on 19 August, with a warm‑up friendly in Hungary scheduled before the EuroBasket 2029 pre‑qualifier fixtures. The Austrian lineup will meet Cyprus on 27 August (away) and host North Macedonia on 30 August 2026 at 16:05. ([news.basketballaustria.at](https://news.basketballaustria.at/News_Detail.aspx?id=246236&menueid=19428))

With home advantage in Vienna and a modified roster, Austria will look to convert the change into a positive result as the pre‑qualification phase begins to take shape.

Photo: press material from the event