All eyes — and odds — had been on Team USA forward of its semifinals conflict in opposition to Germany within the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Friday.
After all, the squad cruised to a 4-1 slate within the group section earlier than ripping Italy within the quarterfinals, 100-63, with NBA stars bannering the workforce.
The Germans, nevertheless, spoiled what was alleged to be a title redemption bid for the Americans, pulling off a shocking 113-111 victory in entrance of a jam-packed crowd on the Mall of Asia Arena.
For USA head coach Steve Kerr, this proved that basketball goes past them.
“It just means the game has been globalized over the last 30 years or so and you know, these games are difficult. This is not 1992 anymore,” Kerr mentioned on the heels of the loss that despatched them to the battle for third in opposition to Canada.
“So, players are better all over the world, teams are better and it’s not easy to win a World Cup or the Olympic games.”
In the 4 current editions of the World Cup, USA had been the favourite to win the title — which they did twice.
In 2010, the squad made up of Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and Steph Curry dominated host Turkey to reign supreme within the World Cup. The following version, USA once more emerged on prime behind Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, James Harden, and DeMar Derozan as they made it back-to-back crowns.
But in 2019, the Americans completed simply seventh total as Spain dominated whereas Argentina and France settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
“Congrats to Germany, they were fantastic, they deserved the win,” Kerr added.
“I’m really proud of our guys, they were courageous throughout the game and fought and gave themselves a chance down the stretch and we just couldn’t quite get there.”
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
