“14 Forever”
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Next magical night for Nowitzki
Cologne For the first time, the jersey of a German national player is “retired”, and of course it is Dirk Nowitzki’s 14. Before the start of the European Championships in Cologne, it comes under the hall ceiling, the guest list is impressive.
Dirk Nowitzki will fight back tears again, but he knows it. When the big ceremony is here, things get emotional, that’s for sure, and a lot of memories will probably come up again. Shortly before the start of the European Championship, Nowitzki’s shirt number 14 will be “retired” in Cologne, i.e. it will no longer be assigned in the future. A novelty, German basketball bows to its greatest.
It’s a “huge honor”, said the 153-time national player. And it was a “nice surprise” when he found out about the idea of the German Basketball Federation (DBB) – but the 44-year-old knows what to expect. Earlier this year, the Dallas Mavericks had his 41 out of circulation and under the roof, and not just because he led the club to the 2011 NBA title.
Now a consultant to the franchise, Nowitzki left his mark on Texas. And also in German basketball. 20 years after World Cup bronze in Indianapolis, there is again the really big station for the Würzburger, who also won EM silver in 2005. But his greatest moment in the national team was different.
“I have to mention the 2008 games in Beijing,” Nowitzki told Sport Bild, “The Olympics were my childhood dream.” it gives him “a chill down his spine” to this day.
After “41 Forever”, motto of the ceremony in Dallas, it is now “14 Forever”. The DBB pays homage to the idol, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has accepted the association’s invitation and will pay tribute to Nowitzki in the Lanxess Arena in front of more than 15,000 fans. Mark Cuban, owner of the Mavericks, should also come. Of course, Nowitzki brings his wife Jessica and their three children with him.
The construction is already hanging on steel cables in the hall, and you can’t yet admire the oversized jersey that will be pulled up on Thursday before the national team starts their home European Championship against France (8:30 p.m. / MagentaSport).
“Dirk deserved it. It will motivate us that he is there,” said Dennis Schröder, captain of the German basketball team, about the EM ambassador. Shooting star Franz Wagner also likes the special gesture.
“He’s always been a really big role model for me,” said the Orlando Magic NBA pro. It is remarkable “how he got there, how crass he played, how down-to-earth he remained. Things like that impressed me growing up.”
Nowitzki will be there for the whole home tournament with games in Cologne and Berlin, cheering, keeping his fingers crossed for the heirs. But before it gets serious, he is in the foreground. Maybe “one last time”, as he said with a touch of relief. He enjoys the appreciation, but his place in the spotlight just isn’t for him.
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