If you want to see the superstars of the NBA, you don’t actually have to travel to the USA anymore.
A ticket for the European Basketball Championship (September 1 to 18) this year is enough.
The four preliminary round groups play in Cologne, Tbilisi/Georgia, Prague/Czech Republic and Milan/Italy. The final round will take place in Berlin.
In Cologne, our giants rely on the home advantage – and they need it too! Because the opposing teams have it all.
It has been clear since Tuesday: Group opponents and defending champions Slovenia will also come with a full band. NBA superstar Luka Doncic (23 / Dallas Mavericks) has confirmed his participation.
France, our opening opponent on September 1st, comes with up to seven NBA stars around Rudy Gobert (29/Utah).
Domantas Sabonis (26/Sacramento) and Jonas Valanciunas (30/New Orleans) have confirmed for Lithuania.
The other opponents in Cologne are Bosnia and Hungary.
In order to move into the final round, the squad of national coach Gordon Herbert (63) must be at least fourth in the group.
In the final round, the next chunks are most likely waiting: Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo (27 / Milwaukee) and Serbia with Nikola Jokic (27 / Denver) – the two players who have shared the MVP title in the NBA in the last four years to have.
But the German team doesn’t need to hide at all. Leader Dennis Schröder (28/most recently Boston) drums up the German NBA stars for the EM. Daniel Theis (30/Boston), Maxi Kleber (30/Dallas) and the Wagner brothers Moritz (25) and Franz (20/both Orlando) want to be there.
Schröder: “If we stick together as a team, a lot is possible. Of course, the goal of a medal is ambitious, but when should we strive for it if not at a home European Championship? I had good talks with national coach Gordon Herbert and I’m ready to leave everything on the floor for Germany.”
