Germany and the USA are now heading to Lille, where the preliminary round of the Olympic basketball tournament is taking place. A reunion on the court will only be possible in Paris.
Basketball world champion Franz Wagner expects to face significantly more strong opponents at the Olympic Games than just gold favorite USA. “Every game will be extremely difficult. I’m just looking forward to it. It will be a cool competition. I’m very happy,” said the Orlando Magic professional after his team’s narrow 88:92 defeat to the Olympic champions in London. The German team and the selection led by superstar LeBron James had previously delivered a spectacular duel with many highlights worth seeing.
The earliest that the teams will meet again on the court at the Olympic basketball tournament is in Paris. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and the gold and bronze medal matches will take place there. The teams will complete the entire preliminary round in the Lille football stadium, where Germany will face outsider Japan on Saturday (1:30 p.m.). The USA will face World Cup runner-up Serbia for the first time on Sunday (5:15 p.m.).
James stood out. The 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers professional has another highlight ahead of the tournament: he will be allowed to carry the US team’s flag at the opening ceremony on Friday. Whether German captain Dennis Schröder will also have the honor will be announced on Thursday. Regarding a possible visit to the opening ceremony, Franz Wagner said: “We all see it very, very similarly. The ceremony is part of what makes the Olympics special. We still have to decide and discuss it.”
Source: Stern
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