World champion Johannes Thiemann believes that the German basketball players will have the greatest possible success at the Olympics in Paris – but also sees strong competition from the USA, which wants to strike back with NBA stars.
“Basically, I believe that we can repeat a coup like the one at the World Cup. In terms of the structure of the tournament, the Olympics are almost easier than a World Cup,” said the captain of Alba Berlin, who won World Cup gold with the national team on September 10th in Manila “Sport Bild” won.
However, Thiemann sees the USA as a major opponent for the Summer Games.
Thiemann expects NBA stars: “Americans will be significantly stronger”
You have to say “that the Americans will be significantly stronger than at the World Cup. Curry, LeBron and all the others want to play. Of course it’s much more difficult against them,” said Thiemann.
“But the last two tournaments have shown that we don’t have to hide from anyone. Especially in a final, when there is a nervousness factor, a lot is always possible – even against the USA,” he noted.
The Germans had defeated the Americans, who had competed without any superstars, on their way to gold in the World Cup semi-finals. Afterwards, NBA stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant declared that they wanted to be there in Paris (July 26 to August 11, 2024).