Gießener AllgemeineSportSport-Mix
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The brothers Moritz (left) and Franz Wagner (middle) are looking forward to their home game in Berlin against Canada after the 87:68 victory against Sweden in Bonn. © Imago Sportfotodienst GmbH
For the first time, the brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner appear side by side in the national basketball team in their hometown of Berlin. Actually, the highlight should have come last year.
The planning for the big day has been going on for some time, it has been organized and mobilized. “The family is definitely ready, the friends are invited,” says Franz Wagner, referring to the delayed Berlin premiere. On Wednesday, the 21-year-old and his older brother Moritz (26) will appear side by side in the national basketball team in their hometown for the first time – a highlight.
It’s been a good year since the German team won bronze at the European Championships in the capital, but Moritz Wagner was only a spectator at the time because of a foot injury. To have been there, but not in the middle, was an “interesting, emotional dichotomy”. There is a World Cup this summer and things are looking different.
The Wagners are fit, last Saturday they both played together against Sweden at the start of the preparations in Bonn, and in the jersey with the eagle they did for the first time what is completely normal in everyday life. At Orlando Magic, the NBA professionals have been on the ball together for two years. They are not afraid that it could become too much at some point.
“When you grow up, you eventually get tired of each other,” says Moritz Wagner, “but we also find very good ways of avoiding each other.” But the brothers are “actually very, very good friends. Luckily we managed that quite well.«
Gordon Herbert can confirm that. “They both like each other, they both support each other,” says the national coach, the Canadian appreciates them on and off the field: “They are very talented players and even better people.” In addition, the Wagner brothers are “very good for NBA stars modest. Ordinary boys.” The tall basketball players are similar and have followed the same path from Alba Berlin to the US college team Michigan Wolverines in the NBA, but there are also differences. “He’s built a niche for himself in our family,” Moritz jokes about Franz, “we’re all three loud, and he looked at it and said, okay, I’d rather be a little quieter and think before I speak.”
In terms of sport, Franz copied a lot from Moritz. “When we grew up, I always imitated everything he did,” says the younger brother, both understand each other blindly. “When we’re on the court, we’re teammates who know each other extra well. It’s just fun with him.«
They have come up with something for the upcoming World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines (August 25 to September 10). Only their first names are emblazoned on the back of their shirts. “It looks a little cooler and you can’t do it every day,” explains Franz Wagner.
On Wednesday, parents Beate and Axel can admire their children in the game against Canada (7.30 p.m./free with MagentaSport) in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. “It’s also pretty cool for our parents in Berlin,” says Moritz Wagner: “We grew up there. It’s special.”
2023-08-07 19:24:14
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