Successful start to the Olympics: Basketball players with clear victory
Germany’s basketball players start with victory in the Olympics. Photo
© Mark J. Terrill/AP/dpa
The night was short, the impressions intense. But Germany’s basketball players are unimpressed. They are still looking forward to some sleep.
After their easy opening victory, Dennis Schröder and Co. were briefly celebrated by the spectators. Then the tired but satisfied basketball world champions returned to the small Olympic village in Lille. “It was a perfect weekend,” said young NBA star Franz Wagner, referring to their participation in the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday evening and the 97:77 (52:44) win against Japan in Lille less than 20 hours later.
Led by flag bearer Schröder, the basketball players’ medal mission has thus begun successfully. Against Japan, Franz Wagner (22 points) and Daniel Theis (18) were the best scorers in the team of successful coach Gordon Herbert, with Schröder scoring 13 points just a few hours after taking on his special role on the German boat.
Coach Herbert is satisfied
“I have a lot of respect for my team, who were one hundred percent there today,” said Herbert, who did not travel to the French capital himself and watched the impressive ceremony on the Seine on television. On Tuesday (9 p.m.) Germany will face Brazil in the second group match. Their other group opponent is host France with child prodigy Victor Wembanyama.
Because they were taking part in the opening ceremony in Paris, Schröder and Co. had only arrived back in Lille late at night. But the German team was happy to endure the exertion. “It was amazing. Such a feeling, with so many eyes on you,” said flag bearer Schröder after the ceremony on the Seine. “It was definitely worth it,” added the NBA pro, but now it was “go time.”
Schröder and Wagner ensure a good start
In the impressive Stade Pierre Mauroy, the world champion made it clear from the start that he wanted to win his third medal in a row at the Olympics after bronze at the home European Championships in 2022 and gold at the World Championships last year. In front of around 27,000 spectators in the almost sold-out arena, Schröder and young star Franz Wagner each hit their first throws, thus ensuring security in the German team.
The Japanese were initially unshakeable and were scoring with a high percentage from beyond the three-point line. But Schröder and Co. remained calm and were leading by seven points after the first ten minutes (28:21). In the second period, the favorites steadily increased their lead and were leading by 16 points at one point (47:31). After that, their concentration dropped a little, but Germany was still eight points ahead at halftime.
Improvement needed against top teams
Even after the break, the German team had everything under control. Although not everything was right, especially in defense, every time the Japanese managed to reduce the gap a little, Germany picked up the pace again. Before the final quarter, the German team was ahead by 13 points (74:61). In the last ten minutes, nothing was burning.
The world champion had left no doubt about his ambitions even before the Summer Games began. “Nobody goes into the tournament saying they want to finish fifth,” said Schröder after the final training session in Lille. “Everyone wants to win gold. We do too.” The first step was taken with the win against Japan. However, an improvement against top opponents such as the US Dream Team or Serbia with NBA star Nikola Jokic will be necessary.
dpa
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2024-07-27 23:08:09
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