Olympia-Trial in London - 318 days after Manila: German duel with basketball idols
As World Champion Franz Wagner speaks about US superstars, specifically LeBron James, he recalls his childhood and exciting basketball nights. "I definitely stood up at night. I had a jersey of LeBron, he was one of my role models. I watched countless hours of his highlights", the 22-year-old Wagner said about the 39-year-old James. "Of course, a part of me is still a fan, but when we play against each other, I naturally want to win."
"We're not fans"
When on Monday (21:00 CEST/ProSeven) in the sold-out arena in London, the Olympic test match against Gold Favorite USA takes place, World Champion Germany, led by Captain Dennis Schröder, awaits the ultimate determination. And Wagner is no longer the teenager who chases jerseys or autographs. Instead, he stated, "At the end of the day, it's just a team. We're not fans - we need to make sure we play well."
318 days after the thrilling WM semifinal in Manila, where Germany knocked out the top favorite USA with a score of 113:111, and where German Andreas Obst became a hero, the NBA ensemble has the chance for revenge. And some of the biggest names in basketball are present for the following Olympic tournament in Lille and Paris: Besides James, there are also Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid. "It's a perfect measuring stick for us," said national coach Gordon Herbert a few days before the Olympic opener against Japan on this Saturday.
Where does the US team stand historically?
A loss is not a bad omen. Before the one-time WM run with eight wins in eight games, Germany had also played the test match against the USA - and lost in Abu Dhabi despite a clear lead. For Herbert, it's more about the impressions than the result. "It's good that we're playing against the USA now," said the 65-year-old. "They are, of course, the favorite for the gold medal, but we're coming up against a physically strong opponent."
It's clear that the USA themselves, after the disappointing test match against South Sudan (101:100 after a significant comeback), are the clear favorite for the Olympics. The question is rather: Where does this team stand historically? In comparison to the Dream Team, which dominated the tournament in Barcelona in 1992? In comparison to 2008 and 2012, when Kobe Bryant and James led the team?
For US coach Steve Kerr, the differences are not in his team but in the competition. "This team is just as decorated as the team of 1992 in terms of what they've achieved. The big difference is that the world was far behind where it is now," Kerr said.
The USA's weakness is Germany's strength
The competition with teams like France featuring supertalent Victor Wembanyama, Serbia with NBA star Nikola Jokic, and the solid German team has become a completely different one. "It's a completely different basketball world than 1992," Kerr noted. The best proof of this was the WM in Asia last year. The USA lost not only the semifinal but also two other games and went home without a medal.
It's almost unthinkable for the Olympics. The USA not only have a star-studded roster but also a well-rounded one. Centers Embiid and Anthony Davis address the biggest weakness of the USA, as they were extremely vulnerable in the middle of the court during the WM.
"Our strength is the depth of quality we have. Our problem is that we have a different roster every summer. The other nations have more continuity in their teams," Kerr said. The German squad, which has the same core since 2022 and 2023, is the best example of this.
Schröder eyes gold.
Germany's captain Schroeder sees the USA in the favorite role. "It's clear why they are. They are the twelve best players in the world. It's the biggest tournament in the world," said the 30-year-old, who would like to carry the German flag at the opening ceremony and has been selected for this.
Facing James and Curry settling for silver? That's not an option for Schroeder. "Of course we would write history with every medal. But everyone should strive for gold, otherwise it shows weakness."
- Gordon Herbert, the national coach of the German basketball team, acknowledged the presence of notable NBA players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid for the upcoming Olympic tournament in Lille and Paris.
- Orlando Magic's Franz Wagner recalled his adolescent admiration for LeBron James, mentioning that he stayed up at night watching his highlights and even had a jersey with him as a role model.
- The United States of America's basketball team holds a formidable lineup, with the likes of Steve Kerr coaching and players like James and Curry leading the charge.
- During the 2022 World Cup semifinal in Manila, Germany managed to knock out the USA, with German Andreas Obst contributing significantly to their victory.
- The USA's basketball team has a storied history, having dominated major tournaments in the past, such as the 1992 Dream Team and the teams led by Kobe Bryant and James in 2008 and 2012.
- Steve Kerr, the US coach, emphasized that while the 1992 Dream Team had a unique dominance due to the basketball world's comparatively lesser development, the current US team boasts an equally decorated roster.
- The competition in the current Olympic tournament has grown significantly, featuring strong teams like France with Victor Wembanyama, Serbia with Nikola Jokic, and the consistent German team.
- The eventual loss of the USA team in the 2022 World Cup semifinals and other games served as evidence of the growing strengths of international teams, making the Olympics a more challenging event than ever before.
- Under Steve Kerr's leadership, the USA boasts a well-rounded roster with talented centers such as Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis, who address the team's weakness in the center court.
- Dennis Schröder, the captain of the German team, expressed that while the USA is a formidable opponent with an all-star lineup, their ultimate goal is to strive for gold and not merely settle for silver.
- ProSeven, a German sports channel, will broadcast the Olympic test match between Germany and USA live from London's sold-out arena on Monday at 21:00 CEST.
