“I still can’t quite believe that we have really done it,” said wheelchair basketball player Thomas Böhme after the historic victory and the first medal in his fourth Paralympics. “I’ve tried for so long and we’ve never made it past the quarterfinals. And now we have the medal.”
The German wheelchair basketball team played their last game in the Bercy Arena on Saturday, and the atmosphere was overwhelming: 15,000 people clapped in time while Gala’s “Freed from Desire” blared through the loudspeakers. The American commentators contributed to the electrifying atmosphere with their deep voices. After the silver medal at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, the German team was once again aiming for a podium place in the fight for third place and went into the game with great expectations.
The start was bumpy, however: Both teams struggled to get into the game in the first few minutes. But then Canada turned things around. One player in particular made the difference: Patrick Anderson. “We couldn’t find a way to stop Patrick Anderson in the first half. He showed us why he is considered the king of wheelchair basketball,” explained coach Michael Engel after the game.
In the early stages, Anderson scored seven points and his team quickly pulled ahead to 11:2. The Germans seemed surprised. “Canada played so well, we just didn’t have a grip,” said player Nico Dreimüller. At the end of the first quarter, the German wheelchair basketball players were behind 11:17. Too many shots from promising positions missed the basket.
I still can’t believe that we have bronze and that it’s over now.
Nico Dreimüller
At the beginning of the second quarter, the German team fought its way to within two points (15:17). But the Canadians quickly restored the old gap and were soon leading by eight points (29:21). The game became increasingly physical, fouls increased and the intensity on the field increased noticeably. At halftime, Germany was behind 27:35, while Canada remained in control.
After halftime, the game became close, and at the end of the third quarter it was completely open again: the Canadians were leading 48:47. The atmosphere in the Bercy Arena was boiling, the fans were loudly drumming their feet and cheering the teams on.
In the last quarter, the Germans managed to take the lead for the first time (49:48). The defense was now solid and they scored reliably up front. They quickly extended their lead to seven points (55:48), while the Canadians came under increasing pressure.
The mood on the German bench was euphoric, especially when Thomas Böhme extended the lead to ten points with an important three-pointer. Böhme, who scored 36 points, led the team to victory. Canada could no longer pose a threat and Germany ultimately won 75:62.
“I still can’t believe that we have bronze and that it’s over now,” said Dreimüller. “Micha said two days ago that we had lost three games by 20 points or more. Nobody believes us that we’ll win bronze now – and I feel the same way right now.”
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After the game, the players hugged each other in the middle of the field and celebrated wildly. Waving flags and after countless hugs, they then went to the changing room, where – according to Dreimüller – the first beer bottles were opened while others were still in the doping control. Around 50 fans gathered in front of the entrance to the arena and the celebrations began. “Oh, how beautiful it is!” – families, friends and even the German-French police unit sang together. Coach Michael Engel, who was celebrating his 40th birthday in addition to the bronze medal, was one of the first to be cheered and received a birthday serenade from the fans.
While the men were celebrating their victory outside, the first fans were already heading back into the arena. There, the German wheelchair basketball team played against Great Britain in a match for fifth place. The game, which was evenly matched at times, was ultimately lost by the team 39:48.
The German women’s team, which had started with medal hopes, was not satisfied with sixth place. “Sixth place just sounds stupid,” said captain Mareike Miller after the game. There are teams that train together all year round and are more professional and sometimes more experienced. “That is ultimately reflected in the result, that we are behind in comparison,” summed up Miller.
