Quarterfinals against Latvia
Olympia very close: Great World Cup chance for basketball players
The German basketball team around captain Dennis Schröder is hoping for an Olympic ticket. photo
© Hiro Komae/AP/dpa
A victory in the quarter-finals and a success for Canada over Slovenia: Then the team of national coach Gordon Herbert would already have secured the Olympic ticket.
The German basketball players are on the verge of reaching their World Cup goals – they can face outsiders in the quarterfinals Latvia today (10.45 a.m. / Magentasport) in Manila but also lose everything with a defeat.
After five wins from five games and impressive performances so far, Germany is the clear favourite. “I think we understand the situation. The results from Okinawa are of no use here. We’re starting from scratch. That’s how the system works, even in football or hockey,” said national coach Gordon Herbert about the starting position.
Olympic ticket lures
Even a win over the Latvians and a success by co-favorite Canada over Slovenia could bring the German basketball team to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. It would be the destination of the three-year journey via home European Championships, World Cup and the Olympics.
The professionals around Captain Dennis Schröder are aware of the constellation. “Of course we saw all the bills beforehand. That’s part of it. That’s in the back of your mind. You could make it clear. That’s of course the sweet aftertaste when you get to the semi-finals,” said center Daniel Theis.
Latvians are ready
On paper, the Latvians are a thankful task for a World Cup quarter-finals, especially since star Kristaps Porzingis is not there. However, the team’s recent results speak a different language: victory over France, victory over Spain, clear victory over Brazil – the Latvians are ready.
“We don’t think it will be an easy game. They play incredibly well as a team. We all know that they can shoot,” said Theis. Coach Herbert called the Latvians “the best European team that nobody talks about”. His own team has been spotless at the World Cup so far – setting it apart from all other 31 participants who have lost at least one tournament game.