Olympia: Paris, Lille, Paris: The basketball players’ medal path

Before he was to lead the German Olympic team as flag bearer at the opening ceremony, Dennis Schröder quickly issued a challenge to the extremely strong basketball competition, led by the US Dream Team. “Nobody goes into the tournament saying they want to come fifth,” said Schröder. “Everyone wants to win gold. We do too.”

Olympic gold – that’s what drives the basketball world champions around the Brooklyn Nets point guard. After bronze at the home European Championships in 2022 and the sensational World Cup title in Manila last year, Schröder and Co. want to crown their now legendary three-year plan with the title at the Summer Games in France.

Medal hunt begins with short trip

After that, successful coach Gordon Herbert will go to FC Bayern, and one or two players may take a little time off. But in Lille and Paris, the best German basketball team in history wants to work its magic once again and shine in the gold splendor of Paris on August 10th.

But the world champions still have a long way to go, and it began with a bus ride on Friday. Although the opening game against outsiders Japan is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. this Saturday in Lille, the German Basketball Association team set off for Paris at around 11 a.m. to take part in the spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine.

“I think that the opening ceremony is not to be missed,” said Schröder. “We want to experience this as a team. We want to feel this spirit. I think this will give us a lot of team chemistry.”

Short night should not be a problem

Attending the ceremony is not ideal due to the strain. Schröder and Co. were not due to return to their accommodation in Lille, around 200 kilometers from the French capital Paris, until late at night. A short night before such an important competitive match – Herbert, who was not in Paris, sent his team on their journey with a bit of a stomach ache.

For the players, however, the decision was largely without alternative. “It doesn’t bother me. I’m really looking forward to it,” said NBA pro Daniel Theis, a close friend of flag bearer Schröder. “Dennis and I have known each other for so long. It’s something very special to support him. We’ll manage it, even if we get an hour less sleep.”

Schröder is the second basketball player to bear the German flag after superstar Dirk Nowitzki in 2008 in Beijing. “It was something special back then with Dirk (Nowitzki) on TV. And now with Dennis it is of course a great honor for him personally, but also for German basketball in general,” said co-captain Johannes Voigtmann.

Strong competition

After the short trip to the French capital, all concentration should be on the sporting side of things. After the opening match against Japan, the German team will face Brazil on Tuesday and then the match against hosts and co-favorites France on Friday. “We want to think from game to game and try to win every game. That’s our mentality,” said Schröder.

First place in Group B would also be important because it would most likely avoid top favorites USA, including NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, in the quarterfinals.

But there is also a lot of quality in the other teams. Unlike at the 2023 World Cup, the Serbs of coaching legend Svetislav Pesic have superstar Nikola Jokic with them, while the Greeks are once again relying on Giannis Antetokounmpo. And host France wants to storm to gold with child prodigy Victor Wembanyama and the home advantage. “I think it is even more difficult to win a medal than at the World Cup,” says DBB Vice President Armin Andres.