Before Greece, Gordon Herbert hoped for an easier opponent for Germany

Lille: Wrapping up pool play, Germany switches to the knockout stage of the 2024 Olympic Games. Greece is the next opponent on Tuesday.

After finishing Group B with a 3-0 W-L tally and a convincing win over host France on Friday, the selector of the senior national team of Germany Gordon Herbert previewed the projected matchup with the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis.

“I hope you can get a little bit easier team. But I think you really do not because every team here is really good,” noted the 65-year-old tactician.

A few months after winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Germany dominated pool play with wins over Brazil and Japan, besides routing Les Bleus. In Group A, Greece lost to Canada and Spain, before taking down Australia in Gameday 3 and sneaking into the next round as one of two best-ranked third-placed teams across the three groups.

The United States, the top seed of Group C, will face the other advancing third-placed national team, Brazil in the Quarterfinals.

After winning Group A, Canada will take on second-seeded France in the Quarterfinals. Germany or Greece will meet France or Canada in the Semifinals on Thursday.

Second seeds Serbia and Australia shape the remaining pairing of the Quarterfinals. The winner is set to face the winner of the game between Team USA and Brazil in the Semifinals on Thursday.

On Saturday, the gold and bronze medal contests conclude the schedule of the men’s tournament.