DBP star Dennis Schroeder was ousted by Kevin Durant after the US gold

Dennis Schröder and Germany finished fourth at the Olympics. Image: imago images/camera4+

Olympics 2024

Gordon Herbert was denied a big farewell. The most successful coaching era in German basketball history ended without a promising Olympic bronze. Herbert will take over as coach at Bayern Munich next season.

Captain Dennis Schroder said the team was “heartbroken” after losing 83:93 against Serbia led by NBA superstar Nikola Jokic. “We thank the coach for everything he has done, he has given us a lot. We have won two medals in three years and we wanted a third medal. But we have achieved something more unique and are looking forward.”

In the evening, America's supremacy won the expected and anticipated gold medal. The outstanding Steph Curry led the star-studded team to their fifth straight Olympic victory with a 98:87 victory over hosts France.

Dennis Schröder talks about the value of European basketball

“I impressed myself”said Curry, who converted four three-pointers in the final 2:47 minutes. “You think it's going in with every shot,” Curry said later: “But it was the end of a whole streak like that. At the end of the day I just saw the basket. I didn't see who was in. In front of me.”

Steph Curry (left) and Kevin Durant win Olympic gold. Image: AP/Mark J. Terrill

As basketball teams have been surprisingly competitive during the Olympics, Dennis Schroeder was asked if the rest of the world is now catching up to the United States after the bronze medal game.

“European basketball is more – I have to be careful here – European basketball is not entertainment”Schroeder said. “Clear IQ, clear coached basketball, high level players who know how to play the game.” The NBA is “definitely” the best league in the world, “but the Europeans will definitely come.”

Kevin Durant teases Dennis Schroder after winning Olympic gold

The interview didn't go unnoticed by Kevin Durant, who saw it as an insult to the American system of sports. He posted a picture of Team USA on X: “Entertainment & IQ”

The U.S. team traveled to the Olympics with its historically best lineup, which could be explained by last year's humiliation. While the German national team won the World Cup, the American team was sensationally defeated by Germany in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Dennis Schroeder's career in the national team has no end in sight. “The future looks bright,” said the 30-year-old Schroeder. “I always said I wanted to play until I was 40.”