Big dream of basketball gold tragically shattered
After a thrilling start in the Olympic semi-final against France, the German team falters while their opponents turn up the heat. Germany fights back late but ultimately, the dream of gold bursts. However, the first medal is still possible.
The dream of the final is shattered, the first medal chance missed: The German basketball team missed the penultimate step to the big Olympic coup in the rematch with France and wonder kid Victor Wembanyama. Six days after their dominant win in the group stage, the world champions led by captain Dennis Schröder lost the hard-fought semi-final against the host with 69:73 (33:33). The hope for Olympic victory faded in the Bercy Arena despite a strong comeback in the final minutes, but there's still a chance for bronze on Saturday (11 am).
In front of basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, the German team seemed to be impressed by the electrifying atmosphere in Paris at times, but Schröder, the top scorer of the DBB team (18 points), couldn't prevent the bitter defeat. Led by top scorer Guerschon Yabusele (17), the French team secured revenge for their loss in the group stage in front of the enthusiastic home crowd.
While the French, Olympic silver medalists in 2021, are guaranteed a medal before the final against the USA or Serbia on Saturday (9:30 pm), Schröder and his teammates have to settle for the bronze medal game. Nevertheless, a third medal in a row at a major tournament and a fitting end to head coach Gordon Herbert's successful era are within reach.
Momentum fades quickly
For the Canadian-born Herbert, the bronze medal game will be his last as coach of the national team. After winning bronze at the 2022 European Championships and gold at the 2023 World Cup, he will join German double winners Bayern Munich at the start of the new season. "I'll give everything," Schröder said recently, "to make his dream come true."
Schröder and Franz Wagner gave the German team a dream start, with a 10-point lead after just three minutes. However, the initial momentum faded quickly. "We must not underestimate them," Johannes Thiemann warned after the clear win in the group stage (85:71). And initially, Daniel Theis kept the French superstar Wembanyama in check, but the German team made more and more mistakes.
When Wembanyama first blocked and then scored the equalizer (33:33), the crowd went wild. In the end, he finished with 11 points. The DBB team scored only eight points in a disastrous second quarter. After the break, the German team fell behind for the first time against the increasingly confident French team.
Schröder had to watch as Wembanyama and his teammates further fired up the crowd with exciting offensive actions and spectacular blocks. In the thrilling final phase, the Germans fought desperately for every ball and every shot. The French became nervous despite a 66:53 lead, and the DBB team came back to within two points with 38 seconds left thanks to a three-pointer from Franz Wagner. But it wasn't enough.
The German basketball team's dream of Olympic gold in basketball is shattered, but they still have a chance to secure a bronze medal. Despite a strong start and a 10-point lead against France, their initial momentum quickly faded, leading to a bittersweet semi-final loss.
