The German basketball players saw the first defeat of the preparation mainly positively. Schröder and Co. don’t have to be ready until the end of next week. The way is right.
Gordon Herbert didn’t want to let his first defeat in preparation for the World Cup spoil his good mood. “I’ll go to the fish market and look at a few other things,” said the national basketball coach after the 112:113 after extra time against Canada in the Supercup final in Hamburg.
“That was a good defeat, which brings us further up the field,” said Herbert and said goodbye to the Hanseatic city with positive feelings.
The national coach and some players already have sponsorship appointments in Frankfurt am Main on Tuesday before the German team flies to Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. There will be two more top-class friendlies there at the weekend against Greece (Saturday) and top favorite USA (Sunday), in which the team around captain Dennis Schröder can put the finishing touches on before the World Cup opener against co-hosts Japan in Okinawa on 25 June. wants to get August.
Herbert “happy where we are”
Herbert is very satisfied with the status quo after two weeks of preparation. “I’m happy where we are,” said the Canadian. “But we still have a way to go. If we have to take ten steps, we’re currently on level three or four,” said Herbert, “but that’s absolutely fine given the current state of preparation.”
In the end, the selection of the German Basketball Federation ran out of steam against the physically strong Canadians. In addition, in the final phase of regular time and in extra time, captain Schröder was missing after five fouls and the injured Daniel Theis. Without the previously strong NBA duo, there was a lack of structure and order.
Schröder, who was watching from the bench, found this phase particularly valuable. “It can also happen to us at the World Cup. That will help us,” said the Toronto Raptors point guard. “Even though it’s a bit difficult at first after this defeat, I think we’ve made further steps forward as a team.”
Recharge your batteries for Schröder and Co.
On the two days off, Schröder wanted to recharge his batteries with his family. Then the medal mission should be resumed at full throttle. “We want to give 110 percent in all games at the World Cup and go into the tournament with a broad chest,” said Schröder, who has improved from game to game in preparation.
In order to survive in the difficult group of preliminary rounds against Japan, Australia and Finland, hard work is still called for in Abu Dhabi. “We have two training sessions before the friendlies. Our offense is fine, but we’ll have to work a bit more defensively,” said Herbert, who was able to take a lot from the lost duel with Canada. The game against the World Cup favorites, which were peppered with NBA professionals, was a welcome learning effect. “You learn more from defeats than from victories,” said Herbert. “I’m glad we had this game.”
Source: Stern
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