By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With the senior national team of Germany landing in Frankfurt on Monday, a few hours after securing gold in EuroBasket 2025, Dennis Schroder emerged as the main event in the presentation of the new European champions, not only as the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, but also as the birthday boy.
Besides MVP chants, the “Happy Birthday” song was the suitable selection by loud gathered fans, amounting to 1,000 according to local authorities. Earlier organizer choices went from The Final Countdown by Europe to We Are the Champions by Queen.
“We don’t take it for granted,” the 32-year-old native of Braunschweig addressed the crowd, “It has been a successful four years. In 2022, we started with bronze in EuroBasket, in 2023 we won gold in the FIBA World Cup, and now gold in EuroBasket.”
Over eight appearances between pool play in Tampere and single-elimination contests in Riga, the team captain, who was also the FIBA World Cup 2023 MVP, averaged 20.3 points, 7.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.1 blocks per contest. Up next are the Sacramento Kings in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, his 13th campaign in the league.
In contrast to the players and the remaining members of the coaching staff celebrating the EuroBasket title with German fans, head coach Alex Mumbru flew directly from Riga to Spain after sitting out the preliminary round and handing over head-coaching duties to Alan Ibrahimagic. Focusing on recent health issues, the 46-year-old tactician opted in favor to traveling to his home country.
Photo Credit: FIBA