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The first medal for a German national basketball team in 17 years is a surprising and great success – and a promise for the future.
The last impression of this EM remains. That’s what national basketball coach Gordon Herbert said. Not the first impression, not the great win against European Vice-Champions France in the opening game in front of 18,000 people in Cologne. Not the thriller against the basketball nation Lithuania. Not the most thrilling performance of the tournament in beating top favorites Greece in the quarter-finals. The last impression counts and it now shimmers in a bronze colour.
First medal in 17 years
The first medal for a German national basketball team in 17 years is as surprising as it is a great success. A success that is based on a great coach and a perfectly put together team that worked extremely well as a team.
Led by an outstanding captain Dennis Schröder, who put aside his egocentricity and gave his all for the team from day one of preparation.
Much attention
In addition to the bronze medal, Gordon Herbert’s team was rewarded with a lot of attention. Sold out arenas, great media coverage. Not even the German players expect a basketball boom; The German Basketball Association is challenged to make more of the success this time than at the beginning of the 2000s with mega-star Dirk Nowitzki.
promise to the future
In sporting terms, this European Championship is certainly a promise for the future. Coach Gordon Herbert can fall back on more top players than there were in Nowitzki’s time. And they all want to play for the national team. Dennis Schröder wants to continue as captain.
And the discovery of this European Championship wants to come back: 21-year-old Franz Wagner, he could become the new superstar in the NBA and in the national jersey. It would be good for basketball in Germany if this last impression at the European Championships had only been the beginning.