German national team player Dennis Schroder spoke at a press conference after the final game of the FIBA World Cup.
Schroder managed to win the World Cup, defeating Serbia in a dramatic finish, and he was the most instrumental player with 28 points. He later received the MVP award.
“First of all, it was a long journey. We worked on this for over 10 years, and last year we won bronze. An incredible group. We started in July, the coach did an excellent job bringing us together. Everyone gave their best to be successful. Having an 8-0 record is incredible. My kids, my wife, thanks to all the people who came to support us,” Schroder said.
Schroder also talked about how much German basketball has changed
“It’s incredible. We enjoyed every day, every game. We made history. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best ever, he changed basketball, he’s an NBA champion. Respect to him. I was honored to play with him in 2015. It’s a big success for the Federation, for every player in the locker room. We wouldn’t have done it if we weren’t a team. Congratulations to the coach, teammates, coaching staff, everyone,” Schroder said.
Schroder also talked about the interest in the final and what made the difference
“The final was the only game broadcasted on TV. Basketball is a fantastic sport, and I would like to see every game televised in the future. Ten years ago, we had Nowitzki, but the team wasn’t as well-known. It’s different now. We just want respect.
The final was tied at halftime, and the coach said we needed to play good defense, just like we did against the USA. Everyone listened to that. They were prepared. That’s the reason we won, along with rebounding and transition play.”
The decisive moment for our triumph was a meeting in Okinawa
“I think it was in Okinawa. We had a meeting, the coach asked everyone what we wanted. Everyone said it was a medal. And in the end, he asked me, and I said I wanted gold. My teammates were all together, and that’s why I said it. Our defense and the way we play are special. We all play as a team, and having an 8-0 record is unbelievable,” concluded Schroder.