The German women’s 3×3 basketball team achieved an extraordinary milestone at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 by winning the gold medal.
In a thrilling final witnessed by former superstar Dirk Nowitzki, the German quartet led by Svenja Brunckhorst defeated Spain 17-16 on the Place de la Concorde. This victory marked Germany’s first-ever Olympic basketball medal and was the country’s seventh gold medal at the Paris Games.
Svenja Brunckhorst, Sonja Greinacher, Marie Reichert, and Elisa Mevius concluded their impressive tournament with a spectacular win against the Spanish team. The German squad, representing the German Basketball Federation (DBB), had lost only one game in the group stage, securing their place as group leaders for the semifinals. They then celebrated a dramatic 16-15 victory over Canada on Monday evening.
The final also marked the end of the career for the 32-year-old Brunckhorst, who retires after 83 caps for the national indoor team. This was the first time a German 3×3 team competed in the Olympics. Streetball was introduced to the Olympic program in Tokyo 2021, where the U.S. team won gold. In Paris, the U.S. team secured the bronze medal.
Streetball, also known as street basketball, is a variation of basketball played on outdoor courts with significantly less formal structure and enforcement of the game’s rules. Originating in the parks and streets of New York, streetball encourages players to showcase their individual skills while adopting a more relaxed approach to traditional basketball rules. Unlike organized games, streetball often lacks referees, and players call their own fouls. It’s particularly popular in cities like New York and Los Angeles, where players adapt the game to their local courts and style. Streetball tournaments, such as the renowned Quai 54 in France, attract players from around the world.
