Germany's basketball team was returning home from Latvia to continue celebrations of their European title and the 32nd birthday of their influential captain Dennis Schröder on Monday, reported dpa.
Germany beat Turkey 88-83 in the Riga final on Sunday night to add the continental title to the world title from two years ago.
Schröder scored the final six points to clinch victory, as he named the title "the best present and the only present I need" on his birthday.
Schröder was named Most Valuable Player at the tournament, just as at the World Cup.
"Turkey were strong but you were stronger," the captain of the charter fight told the team before the Riga departure for Frankfurt where a reception and a sponsor and a public party are planned later Monday.
The captain also quipped that the players should refrain from "slam dunks" while on board – after celebrations of the second EuroBasket title 32 years after the maiden success in 1993 lasted until the early hours.
"World Cup and Euros at the same time, that is breathtaking. We are the best team I have ever played for," Schröder said.
Looking at the final minutes where he decided the game, he said: "You live for these moments. I work hard for that every day. In the end I just took the ball and just fired it in."
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier witnessed the latest success in the Riga arena, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz congratulated via platform X.
"We are proud of you. You are an inspiration for young athletes," Merz said, speaking of "a sensational performance."
Former Germany great Dirk Nowitzki simply posted "European champions!!!!" and tennis icon Boris Becker said: "Yessssss!!! We have won and are European champions."
- EuroBasket
- Germany
- Dennis Schröder
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
