When they take to the court at the Nokia Arena in Tampere against Montenegro at the start of EuroBasket, the German basketball players will have one dream - to add a European title to the world title.
At the same time, one of the leaders of this selection, Denis Schroeder, will try to become only the seventh player in history to be named MVP at the World Basketball Championship and the European Championship.
The brilliant point guard, who will be remembered not only for his feats in the German jersey but also for wearing the jersey of ten NBA clubs, was the best player of the tournament in Manila two years ago, and if he repeats everything this summer, he will stand shoulder to shoulder with true basketball legends.
The first to combine both awards was Soviet legend Sergei Belov - the first European inducted into the MVP Hall of Fame was at the 1969 European Championship and the 1970 World Cup.
The Soviet Union took third place at that World Basketball Championship, Yugoslavia was the champion, and all of that seemed to be an announcement of the dominance of the masters from this region.
First, Dražen Dalipagić was the best player at the tournaments in 1977 and 1978, and after the legendary Praja, other icons followed - Dražen Petrović in 1989 and 1986 and Toni Kukoč in 1990 and 1991.
In five of those six tournaments, Yugoslavia eventually lifted the championship trophy - the only time the "blues" were not the best was at the 1986 World Cup.
At that time, the selection of our former country won the bronze medal behind the United States of America and the Soviet Union, but the "Mozart from Šibenik" so "intoxicated" the basketball planet that the award for the best had to end up in his hands.
The last two "double-double" MVPs came from Germany and Spain - Schroeder's famous compatriot Dirk Nowitzki shone at the 2002 and 2005 championships, and Pau Gasol at two EuroBaskets (2009, 2015) and the WorldBasket (2006).
Could Schroeder be next?
If he plays like he did two years ago, the MVP award is not far off. The Sacramento rookie led Germany to its first world title in history by averaging 19,1 points and 6,1 assists.
The 28 points in the victory over Serbia (83:77) in the grand final in Manila will also be remembered.
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