Dennis Schröder put his mobile phone and the boom box on the floor, then he filled the whole hall with sound. The German basketball players start the final weekend of the World Cup preparations with maximum composure and in the best of spirits, where, in addition to an outside temperature of 43 degrees, tough sporting tests await in Abu Dhabi: first co-favorite Greece, then Olympic champion USA.
One week before the start of the World Cup in Japan, Schröder shows no signs of nervousness. After dozens of converted free throws in a row, the captain still fulfilled selfie wishes on Friday, then we went in slippers past the palm trees and through the oppressive heat to the bus.
Wagner: “We are at a very good point mentally”
The Wagner brothers Franz and Moritz also seemed relaxed and joked loudly with each other when they left the training hall at New York University. “I think we’re at a very good point mentally,” said Moritz Wagner of the German Press Agency. A visit to the well-known Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi was on the agenda on Friday before the ultra-modern Etihad Arena takes on Greece on Saturday and the USA on Sunday (both at 6:00 p.m./Magentasport). Participation was voluntary, as national coach Gordon Herbert let know.
He himself didn’t have to think long. “It’s interesting for me because I’ve never been to a mosque. It’s something different for all of us, a completely different experience,” commented Herbert, who prepared the team for the first duel with the USA in a long session in the morning had prepared since 2008. The 57:106 in Beijing was a bad defeat, but has long since expired. “We’re looking forward to it with a lot of anticipation. Even if a lot of stars are missing, there are still All Stars over there and some people who average over 25 points in the NBA. It’s a great experience for me,” said center Daniel Theis.
Dirk Nowitzki was one of the participants in Beijing in 2008. Nowitzki has experienced some strong US teams, often with stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. This time, Steve Kerr’s selection seems vulnerable given the many rejections. “I don’t think the team is totally unbeatable,” said Nowitzki. Franz Wagner, one of the possible successors in the national jersey, has a similar view: “The boys are good, aren’t they? But everyone can be beaten. It doesn’t make sense to go in with your head down.”
USA go into the World Cup as favorites
Paolo Banchero, Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Haliburton may not yet be well known outside of basketball fans, but they have great potential. Despite all the failures, the USA are going into the World Cup (from August 25) as favorites – and also into the mini-tournament in Abu Dhabi, which they organize themselves. “FIBA is more of a sprint, you’re only together for six weeks. The NBA season is a marathon. It’s about forming a team quickly and learning from each other,” said US head coach Kerr. This could be the chance for US opponents. Because in terms of talent and athleticism, the team peppered with NBA professionals can hardly be beat, cancellations or not.
The times when the USA could ignore the developments of the competition and in Europe are long gone. Coach Kerr recently praised Germany’s captain Schröder: “I have a lot of respect for Dennis. He will be a big factor when we play against Germany.”
Kerr’s Golden State Warriors lost an NBA playoff series to Schröder and his Los Angeles Lakers in the spring. Schröder himself did not want to overestimate the forthcoming first duel with the USA in 15 years. “These are friendlies. We don’t care which opponents we play against because we have to concentrate on our team,” said Schröder.
