National coach defends indisposed Dennis Schröder
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German basketball players triumph in the World Cup quarterfinals against Latvia
The German basketball players are in a World Cup semi-final for the first time in more than 20 years and are challenging top favorites USA. Captain Dennis Schröder’s team beat Latvia 81-79 in the quarter-finals in Manila.
Dennis Schröder had a really bad day in the World Cup quarterfinals against Latvia. National basketball coach Gordon Herbert demonstratively stands behind his captain and superstar.
In the end he wanted to force it. Dennis Schröder pulled to the basket to decide the World Cup quarterfinals against Latvia. But as so often in the game, he failed. Unable to initiate a shot, he attempted a pass that landed on the opposition and gave Latvia a chance to win. But Davis Bertans put his three-pointer to the ring at the last second – Germany won 81:79 and advanced to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Top favorites USA are waiting there for Gordon Herbert’s team on Friday (2:40 p.m. / MagentaSport).
Schröder didn’t even try to sugarcoat his performance after the win against Latvia. The NBA star hit just four of his 26 shots, an underground rate for the 29-year-old. “That was probably the worst game I’ve ever played,” said Schröder self-critically. Previously, he was the guarantee of victory for the German team, which won all six games at the World Cup.
We wouldn’t be here without him,” says Gordon Herbert (right) about his captain Dennis Schröder
Those: dpa/Soeren Stache
This is probably one of the reasons why Herbert took his captain under his protection and defended him against all criticism. “The great thing about Dennis is that he wants the ball and he makes a decision. He’s only human too. We wouldn’t be here without him,” said Herbert.
“Probably the most valuable player of any team”
According to Herbert, after the game he was asked why he didn’t replace Schröder in the end. “He was outstanding in Japan, probably the most valuable player of any team. Substituting the best player? No. You win with him or you lose with him,” the 64-year-old clarified.
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Herbert didn’t think of an announcement to Schröder either. “He was throwing great up to this game. This time he awarded four or five layups. He’s a tough boy. He will fight his way through. That will make him stronger.”
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The national team is dependent on a stronger Schröder in the semifinals against the USA if they want to create a sensation and reach the final. Although the Americans lack superstars, the team, which is peppered with twelve NBA professionals, is the absolute favorite for the world title.
US coach Steve Kerr’s task is clear: he should lead the team to the world title
Source: dpa/Michael Conroy
Their coach Steve Kerr sees it differently. For him, Germany is the best team of the tournament. “They are very good, probably the best team of this tournament overall so far. They’re a unit, very well coached and have a lot of continuity,” Kerr said. Unlike Germany, the USA have already lost one game, in the second round against Lithuania.
US coach warns of Franz Wagner
“What helped them a lot was the loss to Lithuania. That was a wake up call. They were a different team against Italy. I hope we see them in the Lithuanian constitution,” Herbert said. The reaction to the defeat was a 100-63 win over Italy in the quarterfinals.
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Above all, Kerr warned against young NBA star Franz Wagner, who played again for the first time after a week and a half due to injury in the 81:79 in the quarter-finals over Latvia. “We have a lot of video material from the last two years, so we know how good, how versatile Franz is. He played very well against Latvia, but we know him well and so do our players,” Kerr said.
