A victory in France and a big game against the US star team: Germany’s basketball players are warmed up in time for the Olympics. LeBron James is also excited.
LeBron James stood in the catacombs, completely sweaty and exhausted, as he raved about the world champions after the basketball spectacle. “We knew that they would be a very tough test for us. Germany has been together in this line-up for three years. We all saw what they can do at the World Cup,” said the 39-year-old superstar, who saved the USA from another defeat against Germany in London with a show of strength. “We love this competition.”
“Someone named LeBron James”
Immediately before the start of the Olympic Games, the 88:92 result after a thrilling match was more of a boost. The duel between equals was noticeably reminiscent of Abu Dhabi last year, when Germany also narrowly lost the World Cup dress rehearsal against the US star team – three weeks later, Gordon Herbert’s team was world champions. “We played well – then someone called LeBron James scored a few points at the end,” the national coach said casually.
When Germany kicks off on Saturday (1:30 p.m.) in Lille against outsider Japan, another medal is well within reach. Captain Dennis Schröder and young star Franz Wagner lead the team as usual, and the role players around three-point specialist Andreas Obst and Moritz Wagner have also got into shape in time. “We’re taking a lot of good things with us from this game. We still have more in the tank,” said Obst, who scored five three-pointers and, like in the World Cup semifinal last year, thrilled the US basketball players.
Road to medal even harder than at the World Championships
In Lille, where the preliminary round will take place, and then in Paris, the short era of head coach Herbert, who is leaving the German Basketball Association (DBB) after the Olympics, will also end. After the European Championship bronze and the golden World Cup coup, a third medal in three years is to follow. But that will probably be even harder than in the past.
The USA not only has US flag bearer James, Stephen Curry and Anthony Edwards as superstars, but also Kevin Durant, who did not play in London due to a calf injury. The squad is not only much more famous, but also stronger. France with super talent Victor Wembanyama, Greece with Giannis Antetonkoumpo, World Cup runner-up Serbia with Nikola Jokic and Canada’s NBA ensemble are also ripe for an Olympic medal.
Complicated system at the Olympics
“Every game will be extremely difficult. I’m just looking forward to it. It will be a cool competition. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Franz Wagner. However, progressing in the group with Japan, Brazil and France is a must. From the quarter-finals onwards, anything is possible thanks to a complicated calculation and drawing system – including a quick reunion with the USA and James, who saved his team from two defeats in London. The 101:100 win against South Sudan was even closer.
The role of the Germans as world champions will also change. “We now have a target on our backs, we are now the hunted. It won’t be easy, but we definitely have the quality to be able to decide for ourselves,” Obst once said of the new situation.
A strong field, well-known opponents and the knockout round? Coach Herbert didn’t care about any of that at first. When asked in London, he didn’t even want to say anything about Germany’s second opponent, Brazil. “Our focus is 100 percent on Japan,” said the 65-year-old Canadian.
James: “We need these tests”
It is still unclear whether Germany will attend the opening ceremony in Paris the day before the first match in Lille. “We all see it very, very similarly. That is part of what makes it special. We still have to decide and discuss it,” said Franz Wagner on ProSieben. The decision could also depend on whether captain Schröder is appointed flag bearer or not. He is one of three candidates, along with tennis star Alexander Zverev and sports shooter Christian Reitz. The decision will be announced on Thursday.
The USA is heading to the Olympics with a flawless preparation record of 5-0 wins. In London in particular, the team with twelve NBA stars was put to much greater test than expected. “We need these tests. I’m glad we managed it again,” said James. Curry added: “We’ve had all the experience. Now it’s about showing the big performance on the big stage. I think we’re ready.”
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
