The German basketball players still have one warm-up game left before the Olympics. They will play against the USA in London on Monday. The last encounter produced a big surprise.
Basketball world champions Germany are eagerly awaiting the Olympic dress rehearsal against gold favorites USA. “This will be the toughest test we can have before such a tournament. That’s why it’s very important,” said point guard Maodo Lo. On Monday (8 p.m.) there will be a repeat of last year’s World Cup semifinal in London, in which Germany sensationally beat the Americans. However, the US team is a completely different one five days before the start of the Olympic tournament in Lille.
There are “twelve of the best players in the world in one team. We have to be fully focused,” said captain Dennis Schröder. Superstars LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant lead the star ensemble from the North American NBA, which wants to win the Olympic gold medal again in Paris. “It’s good that we’re playing against the USA now,” said national coach Gordon Herbert: “They may be the favorites for the gold medal, but it suits us to play against a physically strong opponent now.”
USA as a touchstone for Germany
On Friday evening in Berlin, the German Basketball Association’s selection had no trouble in a clear 104:83 (56:31) win against their upcoming preliminary round opponents Japan. Franz Wagner excelled with 27 points and was even able to take a complete break in the last quarter. “We’ll see where we stand against the USA,” said Lo. The result is not so important, but they still want to do as well as possible, said Herbert.
His team won three of four warm-up games. Next Saturday, they will face Japan again in the Olympic tournament in Lille. Other opponents on the way to the knockout phase are Olympic hosts France and Brazil. Germany is one of the close candidates for the medals. They want to prove against the USA that this will remain the case. “We need this game now. I’m looking forward to it,” said Herbert.
Source: Stern
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