Basketball World Cup: “a blessing…”, Germany crowned for the first time in its history

2023-09-10 18:41:25

The phrase of English footballer Gary Lineker “and in the end, Germany wins” is no longer true in football. However, it takes shape in the land of the orange ball. Germany is world basketball champion after its victory in the final against Serbia (83-77). A suprise ? Yes because at the start of the tournament, we saw Team USA, Canada, Serbia and even France on the highest step of the podium.

“Watch out for Germany, watch out!” », However, Frédéric Weis, the 2000 Olympic vice-champion and BeIN SPORTS consultant, warned us at the start of the fortnight. He was right. Third in Euro 2022 organized at home, the Nationalmannschaft has become a basketball stronghold. European champion already 30 years ago, Germany, the country of one of the best European players of all time Dirk Nowitzki, is world champion for the first time.

Winners of the United States in the semi-final (113-111), the Germans have again achieved a real feat. Beating the Serbian collective in the final, even without NBA champion Nikola Jokic, had to be done. Undefeated throughout the competition – 8 matches and 8 victories – Germany once again played clear basketball in the final with a little genius at the helm: Toronto Raptors leader Dennis Schröder, MVP of the tournament. “It’s incredible, after winning bronze at Euro-2022,” rejoices the latter. This group is incredible. The coach did a great job, managed to bring us together. Everyone knows their role. It’s incredible to be champion without knowing a single defeat. This gold medal is a blessing

After a very indecisive first period (47-47), the Germans, also supported by the impeccable Franz Wagner, distanced themselves in the third quarter (69-57). The Serbs, with their elf Bogdan Bogdanovic, came back into the match and the atmosphere became stifling, the match undecided.

In the money-time 2 minutes from the end, Serbia was 8 points behind (76-69). The worthy heirs of Yugoslav basketball have not managed to overcome this handicap. The Germans managed the pressure as best they could to win (83-77). Fiba, the international federation, even tweeted the victory 10 seconds before the end of the match. This German victory also crowns their coach Gordon Herbert. The latter passed through France during his long career. He was the coach of Paris Basket Racing between 2004 and 2006 and that of Pau-Orthez in 2007 with whom he won the Coupe de France. We will obviously have to count on his team among the big favorites for the next Olympic tournament, in Paris, in less than a year.

We know two thirds of the Paris 2024 field

This World Cup, which has passed a little under the French radar since the distressing elimination of the Blues in the first round, has redefined a hierarchy of international basketball. The United States no longer reigns supreme and without an NBA superstar, Team USA is now a team like any other. This is the second time after 2019 that the Americans, beaten in the small final by Canada (127-118 AD), return home without a medal and they will learn their lesson before coming to Paris.

After this World Cup on the other side of the planet, we also already know two thirds of the field for the Paris 2024 Olympic tournament. With France automatically qualified as the organizing country, 7 selections have validated their ticket. For the Europe zone, Germany and Serbia; for the American continent, the United States and Canada; South Sudan will represent Africa, Japan will wear the colors of the Asian continent and Australia, as always, will have Oceania behind it.

There will be 12 nations in France in 10 and a half months. There are therefore four missing who will play as many qualifying tournaments (TQO) next spring. 24 teams will try their luck and twenty will remain on the floor. Spain, Slovenia of Doncic, Italy, Greece of Antetokounmpo will play their ticket.