basketball
No thoughts about the Olympics yet: Herbert is taking European Championship qualification seriously
Gordon Herbert’s initial focus is on the two European Championship qualifiers. photo
© Daniel Reinhardt/dpa
It is the basketball world champion’s first appearance in Germany, but the glamor is missing. Things should change again at the Olympics in Paris.
World champion, team of the year, numerous other honors: the year 2023 was for Germany’s basketball player is very special.
According to world champion captain Dennis Schröder and Co, 2024 will also go down in history. The next medal will come at the Olympic Games in Paris. “I think about the Olympics every day. It will be a huge deal for us,” said Schröder last weekend as a surprise guest at the Top Four of the Basketball Bundesliga.
The Olympics are the big topic for Germany’s basketball players this year, but the start of the international match is not very glamorous. The first game of the European Championship qualification is against Montenegro in Ludwigsburg today (7.30 p.m./Magentasport). On Sunday we continue in Bulgaria.
NBA professionals in the USA demanded
Schröder and Co. will only follow the double pack from a distance. The NBA professionals are challenged in the USA, the Euroleague players like Bayern’s World Cup hero Andreas Obst are getting a breather from national coach Gordon Herbert.
“Everyone had minor injuries. It’s the only chance for them to take a breather,” said Herbert. “Because the Olympics come very quickly after the BBL season.” The league ends at the beginning/mid of June, and preparation for Paris starts at the beginning of July.
The national coach already has the Olympics in the back of his mind. But his initial focus is on the two European Championship qualifiers. “The players who are here deserve that we are fully there for them,” said Herbert. “We want two wins. And then I’ll think about the Olympics.”