A good five and a half months after the gold coup in Manila, Germany won their first international match as basketball world champions.
At the start of qualifying for the 2025 European Championship, national coach Gordon Herbert’s selection won against Montenegro 85:61 (47:30) in Ludwigsburg on Thursday (February 22, 2024) with only one World Cup hero in their ranks. On Sunday (4 p.m.) we play hosts Bulgaria in Botevgrad.
“We had a great start. You have to give the players credit”said Herbertt. They met after three days together.”presented as a team”.
Herbert, the NBA professionals around captain Dennis Schröder (Brooklyn Nets) was not available, the Canadian did without the other world champions – apart from David Krämer (“Need a break”).
Sweden also wins
In the opening game of Group D, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) team deservedly prevailed. The best thrower was Oscar da Silva from FC Barcelona (19 points). “It’s nice that I was able to take on a bit of responsibility in the absence of the world champions”said da Silva, “it was fun.”
Germany is initially first in Group D ahead of Sweden, which beat the Bulgarians 84:70 (50:43) in Partille.
Three teams from the four-man relay will receive a ticket to next year’s EuroBasket in Cyprus, Finland, Poland and Latvia.