European Championship: Basketball players with great respect for Poland: “A lucky bag”

Germany’s basketball players go into the game for third place at the European Championships in Berlin with great respect for opponents Poland.

“It’s a lucky bag. They can play very good basketball, they didn’t show that against France yesterday. The final would have been something very, very big for them. It’s a huge opportunity for us,” said Johannes Thiemann on Saturday in the team hotel in Berlin. On Sunday (5:15 p.m. / RTL and Magentasport) the outsider is going for the bronze medal.

“They’re dangerous. We have to be really focused when we go in,” Thiemann warned. Although Poland surprised at the European Championship by beating defending champion Slovenia, they have also suffered three defeats with a difference of more than 25 points. Including the 54:95 in the semifinals against France.

Nobody expected Poland to be in the last four

National coach Gordon Herbert said: “We had two very close games in the World Cup qualifiers. We won twice, but it was close. It’s a great team.” The 63-year-old head coach made it clear that nobody expected Poland to be in the last four.

Germany can tackle the game for third place with the best players. “It looks like everyone is ready. It’s good that the boys are disappointed,” said national coach Gordon Herbert. Franz Wagner (ankle), Nick Weiler-Babb (shoulder) and Johannes Voigtmann (ill) were injured this week, but after the strenuous games against Greece and Spain they are also able to play against Poland.

The day after the 91:96 against world champion Spain, Herbert was self-critical. “We didn’t play our best game. I’m disappointed in myself too,” said the 63-year-old. Specifically, Herbert explained that he had left individual players on the floor for too long, which is why they were no longer fit and lively enough in the final phase. “It’s not the end of the world. Spain is Spain. But if you get that far, there are no second chances,” said Herbert.