The German team dominates at the European Championship in Finland and Latvia.In four out of five preliminary round games, she scored over 100 points, in the round of 16 she defeated Portugal. It is not only a favourite in the quarter -finals against Slovenia, but also to the tournament victory. Bastian Doreth used to be a national player at a time when you didn’t even dream of titles. Today he works as a sports director for young people at Nuremberg Falcons BC.

THE TIME: Mr. Doreth, the German team has traveled to the European Championship, with the aim of winning the title. What were the goals in your time?

Pastian: As a world champion, Olympic fan and bronze medalist at the last European Championship, the goal can only be the title. At my first European Championship,in 2013 it was,we just wanted to survive the preliminary round. In the first game we won absolutely surprisingly against France. Then we thought: now something is going. Then we went down …

TIME: Among other things against Great britain with 74:81.

Torment: And today we hit the 60 points ahead!

TIME: Does it hurt to see that the national team is now good – and thay are no longer there?

Torment: When Germany became world champion, shortly after I ended my career in the national team, it hurt. I asked myself: Shouldn’t I have continued to play? But I am a realist and know that the level in this team is completely different. I couldn’t keep up.In this respect, I am simply happy with the boys and for our sport, which benefits from the success of the national team.

TIME: How do you notice that?

Torment: Since the world championship title, actually since the 2022 European Championship, where we finished third, the rush has been tall. Our waiting lists for the youth teams are full. We don’t have enough volunteers to meet the children’s demand for training. And not enough space and time in the halls.

TIME: Are children and adolescents coming because of the success of the national team?

Torment: It’s not just the success, it is the team. Not only does outstanding basketball players play, but simply great personalities with a wide variety of characters. Every child finds someone with whom they can identify: Dennis Schröder, of course, also Franz Wagner or Maodo Lô, but above all Andi Obst. He plays in the Bundesliga, the kids think that is Mega.

TIME: Who would you identify with?

Torment: Moritz Wagner,Franz ‘brother,even if he cannot be there as of an injury. He is an absolute team player, always serves the team and is an emotional driver.

TIME: Which players do this team so well?

torment: Through the bank all. Of course, leaders such as Dennis Schröder or Franz Wagner are absolute top performers. But it also needs the other players who enter the spotlight at the right time. Just like Andi fruit, who simply hit everything at the World Cup in the semi -finals against the USA.

TIME: Or Maodo Lô now in the round of 16 against Portugal.

Torment: Exactly. He only has limited operations behind Dennis Schröder, but if he realizes that nothing works for the others, then he does the points.It is indeed much more critically important, though, that everyone understands it as a priviledge to play in the national team. And that you can only successful if you don’t look at yourself,but at the team.

TIME: Don’t you always have to do that in basketball?

Team Chemistry Fuels International Basketball Success: A Deep Dive

In the high-stakes world of professional basketball, notably on the international stage, individual talent often takes a backseat to team cohesion. While NBA stars command attention with highlight-reel plays, the dynamics within a national team-where players from diverse club environments converge-can be the ultimate determinant of victory. The secret sauce? A shared understanding of roles, selfless commitment, and, surprisingly, a bit of fun.

One key aspect highlighted is the contrast between club and national team environments. In club basketball, it’s also about money, the next contracts. This financial pressure can sometimes overshadow team unity. National teams, though, offer a different dynamic. Players often accept reduced playing time or different roles, prioritizing the collective goal over individual stats. This mirrors the “team-first” mentality frequently enough preached by legendary coaches like Phil Jackson,who emphasized that individual success is a byproduct of team success.

The commitment to the national team hasn’t always been consistent. In the past, the mood was good too, but the commitment was not there. This lack of commitment often stemmed from scheduling conflicts, injuries, or a reluctance to participate in qualifying rounds. The current success hinges on a renewed sense of dedication, where players understand and embrace their roles, nonetheless of their status in their respective clubs. Dennis Schröder, for example, is cited as a player who assumes more responsibility with the national team.

the challenge of qualifying for major tournaments is unique. Due to club commitments, national teams often rely on a different roster for qualifying games compared to the tournament itself. We have to qualify with another troop because NBA and Euroleague players are not released by their clubs. We can only compete with the best possible team in the tournament. This makes the contributions of the qualifying players even more meaningful, fostering a sense of shared ownership in the team’s success.

The absence of certain high-profile players, such as Isaiah Hartenstein, who recently tasted NBA glory, raises questions. While Hartenstein’s addition would undoubtedly enhance the team,the focus remains on the players currently available. The long-term need for Hartenstein is acknowledged, especially as veteran players like Johannes Voigtmann and johannes Thiemann approach the end of their careers. This highlights the constant balancing act between immediate goals and future team growth, a challenge familiar to NBA general managers constantly evaluating their rosters.

A crucial element in the team’s success is the coaching staff. Álex Mumbrú inherited a well-coordinated team but has successfully built upon that foundation. That it continues to work as well as under Gordon Herbert is Mumbrús earnings. And he brought his own note into play. The team plays much faster under him, takes more degrees. This echoes the impact of coaches like Steve kerr, who adapted the Golden State Warriors’ offense to maximize their players’ strengths, leading to multiple championships.

Mumbrú’s selfless decision to delegate responsibility to his assistant coach, Alan Ibrahimagic, during a health crisis speaks volumes about the team’s culture. An incredibly selfless step! For me this is symbolical of what the team is overall. Not only the players, but also the coaches. Ibrahimagic’s long-standing dedication to the national team makes him an ideal replacement, embodying the spirit of service and humility that defines the team’s success.This mirrors the importance of assistant coaches in the NBA, who often play a crucial role in player development and game strategy.

The success of this international team underscores a basic truth in basketball: talent alone is not enough. Team chemistry, selfless commitment, and strong leadership are essential ingredients for achieving sustained success on the court. As fans, we often focus on individual brilliance, but the real magic happens when players come together, embrace their roles, and play for something bigger than themselves.

is a great coach.

TIME: Even if there was such a good coach at the time, why was Germany so bad at the time, sorry, bad?

Torment: Dirk Nowitzki was our unicorn. We still had hardly any NBA players, almost none at the top European level. Not even many who played a major role in the Bundesliga.

TIME: Why is it different today?

Torment: The young Bundesliga was introduced almost 20 years ago. The foreigners have been in the Bundesliga for more than ten years, which says that you can only have six players with a foreign passport in the squad. That means: at least six Germans per squad.In the second and third division, even players with a German passport always have to stand on the floor. So much more German players get operational times and the level increases.

TIME: So the current team is not just a golden generation?

Torment: It is indeed too, but it is the result of hard work in all areas. The nice thing is: through the success we get even more options: more money, more.In any case, if we use success well, market the sport.The NBA is already doing this too doll for my taste, but sometimes a few basketball players in chip advertising, that would be good.

TIME: Will Germany become European champion?

Torment: 100 percent. Turkey or Greece are good, but they cannot be risky. Nobody can stop these boys.