Schroder: ''We can beat any team''

NEW YORK (USA) - Germany goes into the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 as a bona fide powerhouse in international basketball.

The team confirmed it by lifting the Naismith Trophy last summer at the FIBA Basketball World Cup after beating Japan, Australia, Finland, Slovenia, Georgia, Latvia, USA and Serbia.

A team that runs the gauntlet at the World Cup is special. Germany proved themselves to be special.

Yet, they will have to prove it again this summer.

"AS LONG AS WE GIVE IT OUR ALL FOR 40 MINUTES AND PLAY THE WAY WE KNOW HOW, OF COURSE WE CAN BEAT ANYONE."

Germany will play in Group B against France, Japan, and the team that wins the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, which has Latvia, Brazil, Georgia, Philippines, Montenegro and Cameroon.

Latvia, who nearly upset Germany in the Quarter-Finals at the World Cup in Manila, are the favorites to win that OQT and clinch a spot in France.

"We have the host in the group," Schroder said to basketnews.com. "France is a strong team, especially when Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) is there.

Germany will face familiar foes France in Group B

"At the end of the day, I want to win every game I play ... Of course, we know anything is possible in basketball. As long as we give it our all for 40 minutes and play the way we know how, of course we can beat anyone."

Schroder was the TISSOT MVP of the World Cup, but Germany have a lot of terrific players. One is forward Franz Wagner, who averaged 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game last summer. Wagner, who turned 22 during the World Cup, had 16 points in the win over Latvia, 22 against USA in the Semi-Finals and 19 in the title triumph over Serbia. He also had a team-high three steals in the Final.

"He is very, very humble and he is a very good boy," Schroder said. "To be so professional at such an age and to have high goals is remarkable. He was one of the best national team players last year, without him we wouldn't have won the World Cup. He will certainly be one of the best national team players for the next 10 or 15 years."

Schroder, meanwhile, is hoping he follows in Dirk Nowitzki's footsteps by serving as flag-bearer for Germany during the Opening Ceremony. Nowitzki had the honor in 2008, when Germany played at the Beijing Games.

Schroder has stated his desire to do it but doesn't know if he'll get the chance.

"Not yet," he said. "I don't think it's clear yet. I think a few athletes are selected and then a draw is made one way or another. Of course, it would be a huge honor for me.

"That's why I played for the national team for 10 years. There is nothing greater than carrying the flag of your own country."

FIBA