Gordon Herbert and Germany: ''We want three medals in three summers''

BERLIN (Germany) - The German national team has been on a mission since Gordie Herbert took the helm and they have almost accomplished it.

After reaching the podium with a third-place finish as hosts of FIBA EuroBasket 2022, Germany made a hugely impressive run to the title at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, lifting the Naismith Trophy for the first time.

I SAID IN SEPTEMBER 2021 WE WANTED TO WIN THREE MEDALS IN THREE SUMMERS AND WE'RE ON TRACK

Just one more accomplishment is required, according to Herbert, who was put in charge after Germany's Quarter-Final appearance at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I said in September 2021 we wanted to win three medals in three summers and we're on track," he said to Magenta Sport.

"We got one more summer to go and give (the players) credit. I asked for a three-year commitment from the players and they've done an outstanding job."

At Tuesday's Olympic Draw in Switzerland, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, Germany ended up in Group B with hosts France, Japan and the team that wins the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga. That could end up being Latvia, a side that Germany edged 81-79 in the World Cup Quarter-Finals.

"I still think we're going the same way," Herbert said. "The pressure cannot exceed the pleasure of the journey. We've got to enjoy what we're doing and compete...compete like hell."

Meanwhile, Herbert, a Canadian, is not the only person from his country to lead a German national team in basketball.

Canadian Lisa Thomaidis coaches the German women's team and they, too, will be at the Olympics.

She took the helm before last year's FIBA Women's EuroBasket and steered the country to a sixth-place finish, which got them into the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belem, Brazil.

The hire of Thomaidis has paid off handsomely for Germany

In February, Thomaidis coached Germany to one of the three Olympic qualifying spots on offer in Brazil. At the Olympics, they will play in Group C against USA, Belgium and Japan.

"In my opinion, it was a lottery win for Germany to get her," Herbert said of Thomaidis. "She's one of the best coaches in the world and FIBA."

Thomaidis was head coach of Canada when they qualified for, and played at both the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, and the Tokyo Games in 2021.

"She did an outstanding job with Canada for many, many years and it was very fortunate for us to get her," Herbert said.

FIBA