The golden era of German basketball is closely linked to a name that is not yet valued enough in this country.
Germany is world and European champions in basketball. This sentence is hard to believe in view of the recent German sports history. Twelve years ago, Germany failed due to basketball dwarfs such as Great Britain or Belgium at the European Championships at the EM 2015 in the group phase.
Today Germany is at the top of the basketball world, throws nations like the USA or Serbia out at the World Cup, becoming unbeaten European champion. Exceptional Franz Wagner made it clear to Magentasport: “We are exactly where we belong.”
The fact that Germany is actually where it belongs in basketball is also thanks to a man who is often more critical in this country: Dennis Schröder. The playmaker and captain of the national team may not have the talent of Dirk Nowitzki, but he is the leader of the world and European champion. He led Germany into the top of the sporting insignificance. Since this Sunday at the latest, Schröder has been a key figure in German sports history – and it is time to honor him as such. Because without him there would be no current German basketball fairy tale.
Schröder was the face of the German basketball restart at a young age. A creative playmaker with spectacular tricks and important baskets. Nevertheless, Schröder was not well received by many German sports fans who appreciate down -to -earthness and humility. They resented his colored hair and the expensive cars he drove. They preferred to have a second Nowitzki than a first shot. Because Nowitzki stood for these values like hardly any German top athlete.
It was quickly forgotten that Schröder Germany led to sixth in the 2017 European Championship when the DBB selection at the World Cup left in the group phase two years later. Schröder was the scapegoat – although he had the most points and assists in the account.
While he was making a name for himself in the NBA, the skeptics remained loud in Germany. Schröder is withdrawn, arrogant, not a team player, according to the accusation that was supposed to fall silent a few years later. In 2022, Germany won EM bronze, Schröder was the best thrower and preparer. In 2023 Germany became world champion for the first time, Schröder was the best thrower and preparer. At the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, Germany just missed a medal very much, Schröder was the second best thrower and best preparer. On Sunday, Germany became European champion, with Schröder as a second best thrower and the best preparer.