Germany’s Basketball Team Begins ‘Big in Japan’ Mission with World Cup Preparations

Captain Dennis Schröder and his medal hunters began the “Big in Japan” mission well after midnight. Immediately after the lost World Cup dress rehearsal, the German basketball players took off towards Okinawa at around 3:30 a.m. on Monday morning in the Dubai desert. And despite the annoying defeat against the top favorite USA, Schröder and Co. started the 14-hour travel marathon to the World Cup venue with plenty of tailwind.

“It was a good tournament for us here. It gives us self-confidence for the next tasks”, summarized national coach Gordon Herbert on Sunday after the 91:99 (54:46) in the endurance test in Abu Dhabi against the Americans, who were undefeated in the preparation. Looking at the start of the World Cup on Friday (2:10 p.m. / MagentaSport) against co-hosts Japan, the encouraging realization that the NBA stars of the USA almost beat them is the most important thing.

Germany can be expected at the World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, the dream of precious metal is alive. Ex-national player Jan-Hendrik Jagla even rejoiced on the microphone at “MagentaSport”: “I believe that Germany is the best European team that is going to this World Cup. Germany is my favorite with Australia, the USA and Canada.” Before it gets really serious, however, a small odyssey followed on Monday.

It started with a nine-hour flight to Osaka, after a three-hour stay there it continued, two more hours were scheduled for the trip to the holiday paradise of Okinawa: Also makes a five-hour time difference compared to Abu Dhabi, seven hours home. Jet lag becomes the biggest enemy. “We have to regenerate in Japan,” said the coach, who wants to train on Wednesday and Thursday. The most important thing, however, is “that we recover – physically and mentally”.

Basketball Germany dependent on Dennis Schröder

Because against the USA, who compete at the World Cup without superstars like LeBron James or Stephen Curry, the EM third had gone to the limit. “We were exceptional for 26 minutes,” praised Herbert. Especially the defense around center Daniel Theis presented itself in World Cup mode for a long time, drove the USA to despair at times in the first three quarters and let Germany pull away by 16 (!) points.

“We gave everything and had a great will. But it wasn’t quite enough,” said Herbert. This was mainly due to the fact that the Germans ran out of juice in the final quarter after the 84:71 win against Greece on Saturday. US elemental force Anthony Edwards (34 points) could no longer be held back. It also became obvious that the Herbert team could have problems if Schröder, who was the pivotal point and again strong with 16 points and ten assists against the USA, is not on the court.

Meanwhile, Herbert drew positives from the late collapse against the USA: “Defeats give you opportunities to analyze things better.

That gives you the chance to stay tough.” You will need this toughness to move into the intermediate round in the difficult World Cup Group E against co-favorite Australia and insider tip Finland. Anything else would be on the way to the knockout round in Manila ( from September 5th) a disappointment.

2023-08-21 18:28:44
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