Learn German: Ein ehemaliger Freund meinte, er wäre an diesem Tag beinahe zu spät gekommen. - A former friend said he had almost arrived too late on that day.

In direct speech, the friend probably said: Ich bin heute beinahe zu spät gekommen. Because this is reported speech and the actual day has passed, the time word must shift from heute (today) to an diesem Tag (on that day) to reflect the reporter's current perspective.

Why is the verb wäre gekommen (Konjunktiv II) used here instead of sei gekommen (Konjunktiv I)?

Sei gekommen is the standard Konjunktiv I form for reporting a past event. However, in everyday German, Konjunktiv II (wäre gekommen) is frequently used instead. It can also subtly signal that the speaker doubts the friend's excuse, somewhat like saying he claimed he had almost been late.

The translation says the friend said something, but the German uses meinte. Why not sagte?

While sagte is the direct translation for said, the verb meinen is extremely common in conversational German for reporting what someone stated, reckoned, or felt. It fits perfectly here to introduce a personal excuse.

Why is the verb wäre in the second position instead of at the end of the clause?