Olympia - Paris, Lille, Paris: The Medal Path of the Basketballers
Before leading the German Olympic team as flag bearer at the opening ceremony, Dennis Schröder quickly issued a challenge to the powerful basketball competition, led by the US Dream Team. "No one goes into the tournament saying they want to finish fifth," Schröder said. "Everyone wants to win gold. We do too."
Olympic gold - that's what drives the basketball world champions around the point guard of the Brooklyn Nets. After a bronze medal at the home EM 2022 and the sensational WM title in Manila the previous year, Schröder and Co. aim to crown their legendary three-year plan with the title at the Summer Games in France.
Medal hunt begins with a short trip
Then, success coach Gordon Herbert goes to FC Bayern, who might take a break for one or two players. But in Lille and Paris, the best German basketball team in history intends to enchant once again and shine in the gold glow of Paris on August 10.
It's a long way for the world champions, which began with a bus ride on Friday. Although the first match against outsider Japan is at 13:30 in Lille on Saturday, the selection of the German Basketball Federation started the journey towards Paris around 11:00 to be present at the spectacular opening ceremony on the Seine.
"I believe that you can't miss the opening ceremony," Schröder said. "We want to experience that as a team. We want to feel that spirit. I believe that gives us even more team chemistry."
A short night should not be a problem
Participating in the ceremony due to the strain is not optimal. Schröder and Co. were supposed to be back in their accommodation in Lille, about 200 kilometers from the French capital Paris, late at night. A short night before such an important duty - coach Herbert sent his team off with a few stomach aches.
For the players, the decision was mostly unavoidable. "That doesn't bother me," said NBA professional Daniel Theis, a close friend of flag bearer Schröder. "Dennis and I have known each other for so long. It's something special to support him. We'll get there, even if we have an hour less sleep."
Schröder is the second basketballer after Superstar Dirk Nowitzki in 2008 in Beijing to carry the flag for Germany. "It was special with Dirk (Nowitzki) back then on TV," Theis said. "And now with Dennis, it's a great honor for him personally, but also for German basketball in general."
Strong competition
After the short trip to the French capital, all concentration should be on the sporting aspect. After the match against Japan on Tuesday, the German team faces Brazil and on Friday the encounter with host and favorite France. "We want to focus on each game and try to win every game," Schröder said.
Placing first in Group B is also important because it would likely mean facing top favorite USA with NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry in the quarterfinals.
However, there's plenty of quality in the other teams as well. The Serbs, led by trainer legend Svetislav Pesic, have superstar Nikola Jokic instead of him, the Greeks rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the hosts France aim to storm to gold with wonderkind Victor Wembanyama and the home advantage. "I think it's even harder to win a medal than at the WM," DBB vice-president Armin Andres said.
- Dennis Schröder, the point guard for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, echoed the sentiment of the German Olympic basketball team, stating that no one aims for a fifth place finish, they aim for gold.
- On their journey to Paris for the Summer Games in France, the German team, lauded as the best German basketball team in history, will first face Japan in Lille.
- Before FC Bayern takes a break for one or two players, success coach Gordon Herbert will guide the team, including NBA professional Daniel Theis, in Lille and Paris, hoping to capture the gold glow of Paris on August 10.
- In 2008, Dirk Nowitzki carried the flag for Germany at the Beijing Olympics, and Schröder follows in his footsteps, a great honor not only for himself but also for German basketball as a whole.
- The German team, led by Schröder, will face strong competition, including Brazil, host France (favorites with Victor Wembanyama), Serbia with Nikola Jokic, and Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo, making it a challenging task to win a medal.
- Armin Andres, the DBB vice-president, acknowledged that it could be even harder to win a medal at the Olympics than it was at the World Championship.
