basketball
Fight for the Olympics: Basketballer da Silva collects plus points
Came to 19 points against Montenegro: Germany’s Oscar Da Silva. photo
© Marijan Murat/dpa
Last year’s Basketball World Cup took place without Oscar da Silva. But he hasn’t given up his dream of the Olympics yet. He is making progress in the European Championship qualification.
It didn’t take long for the world champion captain’s congratulations to arrive. Congratulated via Instagram Dennis Schröder from the USA congratulated the German basketball players on a successful start to the European Championship qualification. Like almost all World Cup heroes, Schröder was missing from the clear 85:61 win against Montenegro. The NBA professionals like him or the Wagner brothers are challenged in the USA, the players under contract with Euroleague clubs such as Manila star Andreas Obst or co-captain Johannes Voigtmann were given a break by national coach Gordon Herbert.
Finally, the next highlight is coming up in the summer with the Olympic Games in Paris. And it can be assumed that Herbert will largely rely on his World Cup squad at the Olympics. The Summer Games mark the end of the three-year cycle that the Canadian announced when he took office and to which he demanded a clear commitment from the players.
Da Silva wants to take part in the Olympics in Paris
But there is no guarantee of an Olympic ticket for the world champions either. Which is why Herbert noted with great joy in Ludwigsburg that he had a large selection of highly gifted players beyond the World Cup squad. “I’m thrilled with the boys, with what will and attitude they represent Germany,” said the world champion coach.
Oscar da Silva in particular scored positive points against Montenegro. In the absence of almost all the world champions – only David Krämer was there – the Euroleague professional from FC Barcelona led the completely new German team in the sold-out MHP Arena and advertised himself with 19 points.
After narrowly missing out on the World Cup in Asia, da Silva is determined to be one of the twelve selected in Paris this summer. “The Olympics are of course in the back of our minds,” said the Munich native. “It would be a dream to be there in Paris.”
If one of the Manila heroes weakens or is injured, da Silva wants to be there. And with performances like those against Montenegro, the former Alba Berlin professional would definitely be a worthy Olympic participant. “It was fun. It was nice that I was able to take on a bit of responsibility here in the absence of the world champions and pull the team along,” said da Silva.
Next chance to stand out against Bulgaria
He will be challenged again on Sunday (4 p.m./MagentaSport). Then the second game of the European Championship qualification takes place in Bulgaria. For da Silva but also for players like Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann or Louis Olinde, this is the next opportunity to draw attention to themselves.
“It was something special to come into the hall and see the world champion banner under the ceiling of the hall. That was an extra motivation. You play as world champions,” said Olinde. The Berliner recently had to take a break for two months due to the effects of a concussion and only played his second game this year in Ludwigsburg. But with 13 points he showed his great quality.
“After the Olympics there will definitely be a little change, there will probably be a few gaps. I hope that I can establish myself there somehow,” said Olinde, with a view to next year’s European Championships in Finland, Latvia, Poland and Cyprus. And if a place becomes available this summer, Olinde, da Silva and Co. would definitely be ready sooner.