The unexpected success of the German National Team in the 2022 European Basketball Championship (often better known as the EuroBasket) may have come to an end in their loss to the Spanish National Team. But Germany and Boston Celtics big man alumnus Daniel Theis are still happy about winning bronze with a win over the Polish National Team on Sunday with fellow Celtics alum Dennis Schroder.
It was Germany’s first medal in EuroBasket play since 2005, and while falling short of making it to the Final, it was enough to satisfy the goals Theis and the rest of the German National Team had set for themselves.
“That was our goal,” said Theis in an interview with Eurohoops’ John Rammas. “When we came together this summer with everybody, we said the medal is our goal.”
“Obviously, when you go to the semifinal, you want to go to the final to play for gold,” added the Salzgitter native. “We were disappointed after the loss, but we achieved our goal.”
“We want to play successful basketball with the national team. Like we always said, we’ve gotta respect everybody we play, but we’re not scared: now people and teams have to respect us too. We’ve got a great team: we showed it this tournament, and hopefully for more years to come.”
“After the loss against Spain, it wasn’t easy, but we came together as a team.,” shared Theis.
“It’s tough, you’re coming after the biggest loss probably of someone’s career, and you’ve got to focus and lock in because this game is important too, you’re playing for a medal,” noted the Celtics alumnus.
“So, I think (of) how we stayed together as a team for the whole tournament.”
With fellow German National Team member Franz Wagner clearly on the come-up, Theis might get another crack at medaling with Germany in 2025, but even with the loss to Spain, Theis and Germany have plenty to be proud of.
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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire
