With a win against Serbia at the World Cup, Germany became basketball world champions for the first time on Sunday in Manila. A historic success that must of course be duly celebrated. Numerous congratulations, including from celebrities, were not long in coming on social media.
Above all, the German basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki (45) congratulated, “World champion!!! Incredible! What a team!!!!!,” he said happily on X (formerly Twitter). He was denied this success during his active career. “It’s crazy! So proud!” enthused soccer professional Toni Kroos (33), who is already certain that captain Dennis Schröder (29) is athlete of the year. “No discussion necessary,” says Kroos. Accordingly, Schröder was also voted MVP, the best player of the tournament.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (39) also joined in the congratulations with a “WORLD CHAMPION” and celebrated “an incredible achievement”. There was further praise from Mats Hummels (34) and several clubs, among others. “Absolute madness! And so deserved,” wrote FC Schalke 04. “German sports history written! Great class – congratulations, men!” said Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich also acknowledged the “incredible success”.
Other sports associations also celebrated. “You have earned this title,” declared the German Ice Hockey Association, among other things. “What an achievement! Great sport!” was also the opinion of the German Tennis Association.
Congratulations were also quick and plentiful from politicians. “World champion! Sensational, historic and so deserved,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz (65). Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (42) spoke of a “mega game” and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (53) said: “Wow!! World champion! Really strong! An incredible team performance.”
Even satirist and presenter Oliver Kalkofe (57) praised it. “Thank you very much, now I’m hooked!” he explained and joked: “Can I still get in there if you hang the basket a little lower?” He also congratulated “the great German team”. His conclusion: “I’ll have to watch it more often now!”
