Copyright: picture alliance / dpa
NBA star Dirk Nowitzki presents Mavericks boss Mark Cuban with the NBA championship ring on January 25, 2012.
The European Basketball Championship starts with a highlight: Dirk Nowitzki is honored. The NBA legend gets a high visit: In addition to Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Mavericks boss Mark Cuban has also announced his arrival.
The time has finally come: On Thursday, September 1, 2022, the European Basketball Championship will start in Cologne. Before host Germany meets France in the game that is already trend-setting (8.30 p.m., live on Magenta TV), the focus will first be on the greatest German basketball player of all time.
Dirk Nowitzki (44) is given the great honor of “Jersey retirement” before the game, his jersey is rolled under the roof of the hall, his number 14, which he wore for Germany at the Olympics, among other things, will not be given by the German Basketball Association (DBB). forgive more.
Big train station for Dirk Nowitzki in Cologne
An award that has not yet been bestowed on any basket hunter in Germany. Of course, EM ambassador Nowitzki will be in the hall himself. In his honor there is a giant train station in the packed Lanxess Arena (remaining tickets available from the Arena ticket shop).
Federal President Walter Steinmeier (66) has announced that he will say a few words of welcome, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (44) is also coming, and of course Mayor Henriette Reker (65) will not miss the event.
Many of Nowitzki’s friends will come, including handball world champion Christian “Blacky” Schwarzer (52). Unfortunately, Lukas Podolski (37) had to cancel – the Cologne football world champion has a cup match in Poland with Gornik Zarbze.
Mark Cuban sits in the front row of the Lanxess Arena
But another companion of Nowitzki does not miss the show in Cologne. Together with the French NBA star Tony Parker (40), Mark Cuban (64) makes his way to the cathedral. The dazzling Internet billionaire bought the Dallas Mavericks 22 years ago and was spot on with the commitment of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash (48). The gray Mavs rose to become NBA champions, Nowitzki became a Dallas legend.
Now the crypto entrepreneur is flying to Cologne in a private jet, has a lot of friends and companions of Nowitzki on board and will be sitting in the front row in the Lanxess Arena, as usual in Dallas, and will also take part in the celebrations.
After the award, Nowitzki will keep his fingers crossed for the German team. “It’s a tough group, but we have a good team. The first goal will be to survive the preliminary round. Then anything is possible,” said Nowitzki. “We have a good squad and a lot of talent.”
