- Nowitzki on German basketball players: "I never thought"
Dirk Nowitzki is thrilled with the German basketball team and now believes they can win the first Olympic medal. "It won't be easy against France," the legend told the German Press Agency ahead of the semi-final against the home team at the Summer Games in Paris. "But the guys have the class and talent to hold their own even in front of a home crowd. Then we'll see what happens."
The World Cup winner under coach Gordon Herbert faces France on Thursday (5:30 PM) and would secure at least silver with a win. In the preliminary round, the team led by captain Dennis Schröder dominated the host with an 85:71 victory.
For the German Basketball Association, this would be the first Olympic medal for a indoor team after the 3x3 women's team won gold. "That a German team becomes EM bronze, World Champion, and then reaches the Olympic semi-finals – I never thought that was possible," said Nowitzki.
In his time, the now 46-year-old led the national team to EM silver in 2005 and WM bronze in 2002. Now the former NBA champion wants to continue cheering on the German team at the Olympic tournament in Paris. "I'll be there live, no matter how it turns out," Nowitzki promised.
I'm not planning to join the team on the court this time, given my retirement from professional basketball. Regardless, I'm not going to miss the semi-final match against France, as I'll be there to support them live.
