What a sensation: Germany have won the World Cup - in basketball! Four years after being eliminated at the group stage at the World Cup in China, September 10, 2023 will go down in German sporting history. The 83-77 win over Serbia in the final gave the German team their first title since the 1993 European Championship in Munich, and three FC Bayern players had a key role in the victory. No other club boasts more medal winners at this World Cup than FCBB, whether gold, silver or bronze. We take a closer look at the three Bayern basketeers.
Andreas Obst - #42 – 1.91 m – Guard
In the semi-final against the USA, Andreas Obst stepped onto the grand stage. The 27-year-old is considered one of the best three-point shooters outside of the NBA and established himself as a real performer for Bayern in the EuroLeague last season (9.9 points on average, 39.5 per cent three-point conversion rate). Following his 24 points against the Americans, the whole basketball world was talking about the man whom the NBA stars' defence couldn't stop. It was as recently as March that the Hallens-born player extended his contract with FCBB until 2026.
Niels Giffey - #5 – 2.00 m – Forward
Niels Giffey's move to Bayern last year sent a murmur through the basketball community in Germany. After all, the nephew of the former mayor of Berlin was educated there: He played for Bayern's big rivals as a youngster, then transferred to college in Connecticut, where he won the NCAA college league championship twice. He then returned to the German capital, where he captained the team - and played a key role in the Berliners snatching the championship title away from FCBB on several occasions. Arriving in Munich via Lithuania, the veteran was handed a contract running until 2025.
Isaac Bonga - #0 – 2.04 m – Forward
Born in Koblenz, Isaac Bonga is just 23 years old, but he already has four years of NBA experience. Among other things, the versatile forward played alongside LeBron James for the LA Lakers at the age of 18. Despite his size, he's also regularly deployed as a ball carrier, and his long arms are a helpful tool in defence. Bonga comes from a sporty family: his younger brother Joshua plays for newly-promoted BBL team Vechta, his older brother Tarsis is a professional footballer and recently signed for TSV 1860 Munich.
If you'd like to see the Bayern stars in the red and white FCBB kit, the season starts for the Bayern basketball team on 29 September with a home game against Weißenfels, followed by the first EuroLeague home game against Berlin on 5 October. This weekend, they play Berlin, Red Star Belgrade and Bologna in a prestigious tournament for the MagentaSport Cup - but probably without the World Cup heroes.
Photo credit: FIBA
FC Bayern congratulates the German basketball players on their World Cup triumph:
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