The US team manages revenge, but Germany keeps hope
The humiliation from losing the WM semifinal against Germany still runs deep for the US basketball team. Therefore, they face the DBB selection with their full squad in a revenge match. In the end, they manage to secure the win, but it's a close call.
World champion Germany came close to pulling off a surprising coup right before the Olympics in a spectacular basketball showdown. Against Olympic champions USA, led by excellent superstar LeBron James, the team lost narrowly in London with a score of 88:92 (41:48). The US team, with 12 NBA professionals, successfully avenged their loss from the WM.
The 19,177 fans in the sold-out arena in London were treated to a few days before the opening of the Olympics in Paris with everything basketball has to offer. Schröder (13 points) and co. held their ground, as they had in the previous test in Abu Dhabi and at the WM. However, this time, the individual prowess of the US team, led by flag bearer James (20 points), Stephen Curry (13), and Anthony Edwards, prevailed.
"I'm extremely excited. To face a team like this doesn't happen often in a career. There are twelve awesome guys on it," said Franz Wagner (18 points) before the game. The young star from the Orlando Magic plays against all these NBA stars throughout the season but never in such a stacked lineup. "The second and third quarters were really good." The NBA pro admitted, "but we struggled a bit at the beginning and the end." Wagner added, "We can take a lot of positives from this."
US shines
Whether Schröder will receive the flagbearer honor, which James is expected to have at the opening ceremony, remains to be seen on Thursday. The two former teammates from the Los Angeles Lakers exchanged friendly words before the game. Right from the start, Schröder showed confidence and made two quick three-pointers. The USA had trouble getting clean looks in the first minutes.
Two three-pointers from Jrue Holiday and the entry of the strong second unit, including NBA champion Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics, put the favorites in a clear lead for the first time. A 21:4 run gave the US team, which once again had to do without the injured Kevin Durant, a significant advantage. However, the anticipated decisive lead was still a long way off. "We've started well, but then made some silly fouls. I'm proud of the team," Schröder said at halftime.
In the second quarter, the DBB team fought back. Andreas Obst, who had outperformed everyone in the WM semifinal, made two shots from beyond the arc and cut the lead to 39:42. Just before halftime, the Americans showed their muscle once again. Joel Embiid blocked Isaac Bonga with a monster block, and Anthony Edwards scored a slam dunk (39:48).
Germany faces underdog Japan
The game, which felt like an away match for Schröder due to the large number of US team fans, remained close and fiercely contested in the second half. Germany even took the lead, and they didn't let a 8:0 run from the Americans in 48 seconds rattle them. With a three-point lead, they entered the final quarter.
Nowitzki signed autographs on jerseys, hats, and smartphones - on the court, he continued to enjoy top-notch entertainment and a face-to-face duel. Only an overpowering closing phase from the 39-year-old James brought the decision in favor of the Olympians.
Before the revenge, the NBA World Selection had initially shown some vulnerability. On Saturday, the US Americans won narrowly with a score of 101:100 against basketball midget Sudan, despite a 14-point deficit. "I prefer these games to canter victories, at least we were tested," James said afterwards.
At the Summer Games, the USA is seen as an undisputed gold favorite. Germany aims to win the third medal in three years after the EM bronze in 2022 and the surprising WM triumph in Manila the previous year, and Bundestrainer Gordon Herbert wants to give an ideal farewell. For the DBB team, the preliminary round begins in Lille on Saturday (13.30 pm) against outsider Japan. In addition, Brazil (30. July) and host France (2. August) are in this group - progress is expected. The USA are challenged right from the start on Sunday (17.15 pm) against Vice-World Champion Serbia and NBA star Nikola Jokic.
Dirk Nowitzki, a legendary figure from Germany, was also present at the basketball showdown, signing autographs and watching the intense match. (Germany, Basketball)
Despite their loss in London to the USA, led by LeBron James, Dennis Schröder and his German teammates showed resilience, especially in the WM semifinal. (Dennis Schröder, USA, LeBron James, Basketball)
In preparation for the Olympics, the US basketball team faced Germany again in a revenge match, this time with their full squad. (Dirk Nowitzki, Revenge match)
The match against the USA in London was not an easy one for Germany, with Schröder scoring 13 points and the team narrowly losing with a score of 88:92. (London, Loss)
