After beating Greece and reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship, Germany’s basketball players were in high spirits.
“Semifinals!”, roared Germany’s euphoric basketball leader Dennis Schröder in the catacombs, then slammed his hand against the wall several times. The famous 107:96 against co-favorite Greece and NBA-Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo not only brings the hosts of the European Championship their first semi-final in 17 years, but also allows the enthusiasm to continue to grow in the final week. “It was a special night. Maybe the most special basketball night I’ve ever experienced”said three-man specialist Andreas Obst.
While the German team celebrated the quarter-final victory in front of 14,073 fans in Berlin, Antetokounmpo’s departure was symbolic: The Greek had to leave the field prematurely after two unsportsmanlike fouls, the strong German collective again had the outstanding star of the Milwaukee Bucks successfully unnerved. “We did our job. The team performed very, very well, especially in the second half. We had the right mindset to come out and stop the Greeks.”said Schroeder.
Herbert wants “a cold beer”
Coach Gordon Herbert revealed that the euphoric Schröder asked for his credit card after the game. “I said: I’ve been divorced three times, you won’t like the limit”, joked the coach. Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco had previously reported giving his players his credit card to celebrate after the surprise win in the round of 16 against Serbia. Herbert didn’t want to go that far, although he seemed visibly relieved. “A Cold Beer”so the Canadian, he would like to have now.
Schröder thanks the fans: “Incredible”
Germany’s basketball hero Dirk Nowitzki watched in the stands as his successors followed in his footsteps. In the era of the now 44-year-old, semi-finals were more the norm, playing in the round of four at the 2001 European Championships, the 2002 World Cup and the 2005 European Championships. Since then, 17 years of sporting drought have passed. “The fans were incredible, unbelievable atmosphere. The whole team, from the bench to the starting five, what we brought is incredible”, said Schroeder. Franz Wagner, who returned after an ankle injury, said go now “all”.
Herbert’s team has put up with a lot of setbacks this summer. Maxi Kleber, Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaac Bonga and Moritz Wagner canceled for different reasons, then Daniel Theis injured his knee and leader Schröder injured his ankle. Both returned even stronger after a break and, like Wagner, were pillars of success over the Greeks. “It’s our strength that we have a lot of experienced guys. But it’s much more important that the guys don’t take it personally when they’re told something.”described Wagner.
Herbert: “First enjoy”
The next hurdle is called Spain on Friday evening (September 16, 2022, 8:30 p.m.). The world champion may not have an antetokounmpo, but an experienced and ripped off team that showed great morale in the 100:90 win over Finland. 17 years ago, when they last won a medal, Spain were also opponents in the semi-finals, when Nowitzki scored the decisive goal just before the end.
Coach Herbert has to process the win against Greece first. “I’ll enjoy tonight. I won’t think about Spain. For us it’s the next game. We have a day off tomorrow, go back to work on Thursday and enjoy the situation.”, said Herbert, who at least knew about the upcoming opponent. Not like Captain Schröder, who only realized some time after the final siren who Germany had to defeat on the way to the final on Sunday.
Schröder: “Be ready”
“Oh, that’s against Spain?”, asked Schroeder. He knows the brothers Willy and Juancho Hernangomez from the NBA, with Usman Garuba the currently clubless playmaker has in the Houston Rockets played together. “They are physically, a good team. Of course we have to be ready”warned Schröder, who had shone with 26 points against the Greeks: “They don’t have a Giannis now, but a lot of good role players who can really play 20 points.”