- Big disappointment: German basketball player without a medal
The most successful era in the history of German basketball has come to an end with a bitter disappointment. In the final game under the guidance of national coach Gordon Herbert, the German team lost the bronze medal match against Serbia in Paris 83:93 (38:46) and missed out on the hoped-for Olympic medal.
In the rematch of last year's World Cup final, Franz Wagner was the top scorer with 18 points in a weak German team. Even the support of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki couldn't help on this gloomy Saturday morning in the Bercy Arena against the Serbians coached by former national coach Svetislav Pesic.
Jokic shows his power
Under Herbert, the German team won bronze at the 2022 home European Championships and sensationally won the World Cup title last year in Manila. At the Summer Games, the World Cup winner around captain Dennis Schroder could not live up to their potential in Paris after a strong preliminary round in Lille with the highlight match against host France during the final round.
In the World Cup final eleven months ago, Germany had beaten the Serbs 83:77. At that time, Serbia was missing Nikola Jokic. And the superstar of the Denver Nuggets made life difficult for the German team from the start. With his power under the basket, the powerhouse was hardly stoppable. The center dominated the game.
Franz Wagner initially with problems
The German game did not get into gear. Like in the defeat in the semi-final against France, Schröder and co. found no rhythm offensively. Schröder scored eight points in the first quarter, but often forced the issue. Even young star Franz Wagner could not make an impact like hoped against the aggressive French. After ten minutes, the World Cup winner was nine points behind (21:30).
In the second quarter, the gap widened to 14 points at times. The German performance seemed strangely emotionless. Little of the euphoria and enthusiasm from the successful World Cup times was visible. So the Serbs only needed a good, but by no means outstanding performance to control the game.
In the third quarter, the DBB selection was even 19 points behind at times. Driven by Franz Wagner, the World Cup winner tried everything and came within eight points (74:82), but it was not enough for the turnaround and the desired medal.
The question of the national coach should be clarified soon
Herbert had taken over from Henrik Rödl after the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and immediately formed a core of players at the beginning of his tenure, from whom he demanded a commitment for three years. Above all, he relied on Schröder as captain and gave his point guard a lot of freedom.
Schröder paid back the trust with strong performances. Led by the flag bearer of these Summer Games, Germany won a medal in 2022 and 2023 - a top-three finish hadn't been achieved since 2005 and Nowitzki. But even Schröder couldn't convince in Paris.
The German Basketball Association wants to announce Herbert's successor relatively soon. "That will happen soon," said Vice-President Armin Andres to the German Press Agency in Paris. "In November, the next games in the European Championship qualifiers are already on the agenda. So the new one needs a certain lead time to exchange ideas with the players," said Andres. "Therefore, of course, we have already had talks."
Despite his strong performance in the World Cup, Franz Wagner was not able to receive the ['Medal of the Order of Merit'] for his contributions to German basketball, as the team missed out on an Olympic medal. Following the disappointing loss, discussions about the future of national coach Gordon Herbert and the selection of his successor have intensified.
