Behind TEAM USA

USA Assistant Coordinator for Men's Basketball: BJ Johnson


USA Director of Communications/Media Relations: Craig Miller


Head coach Don Showalter


Assistant Coach Kevin Sutton


Assistant Coach Herman Harried


USA basketball Intern: Koby


Team Doctor: Scott


Team Trainer: Jamey

German Soccer Fan Fest

What can I say about Germany and their love of soccer? They are CRAZY! Laura, our host ambassador took us to the downtown area to attend "Fan Fest." They estimate that about 60,000 people were assembled at this outdoor screen to watch Germany play Argentina in a World Cup match. It was 31 degrees (94 degrees F!!) It was HOT! We finished watching the game dining at an outdoor restaurant. Germany won 4 - 0. After the game was over people and cars were waving flags and blowing their noisy horns. Wild!

Tony with German fans!


Huge screen set up for the event


Dr. Scott's wife and daughter arrived today.


Our TALL team attracts attention wherever we go.


Time to eat.



Coach Show's meal!

GAME 2 vs Lithuania

USA 102 - Lithuania 66 Wow, way to go TEAM USA!
For complete game write up go to www.usabasketball.com

Saturday's schedule: 12:30 game vs. Lithuania, back to the hotel to change and eat, head to the downtown area for "Fan Fest" with 60,000 others to watch the German soccer match on screens set up.






After every game Coach Showalter and one USA player are interviewed. Today James McAdoo answered questions in the interview room.

Opening Ceremonies

Opening Ceremonies were held before the two evening games. Each team was introduced and was led out onto the floor. Several dignitaries spoke and welcomed everyone, two rappers sang, and the German national anthem was played. Then the teams were led off.

GAME 1 vs Argentina

Game Day - Ready, Set, Go! TEAM USA is READY! Our first game is against Argentina. Last summer we beat Argentina (in Argentina) to take the GOLD medal in the Americas tournament to qualify for this World Championship. Qualifying from the Americas Tournament were USA, Argentina, and Canada. We play at 13:30 today (1:30). For our Iowa family we are 7 hours ahead of you, so that means we play at 6:30 am Iowa time! Yeah, I'm still adjusting to the time change, but almost switched.

USA 82 - Argentina 70. YEA for the first WIN!!








After the game it was back to the hotel. The boys were hungry and thirsty.

First Day in Germany

Thursday, July 1 was our first full day in Hamburg. Our schedule: 9:30 breakfast, 12:00 practice, 1:45 lunch, 5:00 shopping, 7:00 supper, and 7:30 team meeting.

Our meals have been wonderful at the hotel. The hotel is hosting all 12 teams that will be competing in the World Championship. 6 teams eat in one dining room and the other 6 in another. The tables are set with white tablecloths and we fill our plate(s) buffet style. The boys are eating lots of pasta and sauce and drinking lots of juices.



For practice today the team warmed up in a hallway because practice times are very strict. You don't get in the gym until it is your time and you leave immediately when the time is up.




Our hotel is nice, but it is NOT air conditioned! Each room has a fan. It has been very warm here. According to Laura, our team ambassador, unseasonably warm. Two boys are assigned to each room, but they seem to hang out together. TEAM!



Taxi cabs took us to "famila" to shop and it turned out to be like a super Walmart/Target type of store. The boys bought candy, snacks, etc. and Coach Show found PEPSI! On the way out many had a "gelato" ice cream or bought french fries. It was a successful trip.

Hamburg, Germany at Last!

Wednesday. Our flight from Lithuania to Frankfurt, Germany was delayed which caused us to miss our flight to Hamburg. We were rebooked and made it to Hamburg about 6:30. Laura, our team ambassador met us and we loaded up the bus to go to the hotel. Barely 30 minutes later we were back on a bus to go to practice. We were treated to a "snack" which was a full meal - pork tenderloins, salads, breads, and German sodas. We found out that our team doctor, Scott, is very talented - he opened the soda bottles without an opener! We practiced both in the practice facility and in the arena. Back to the hotel for dinner which was buffet style. Don had prime rib, potatoes and lots of gravy -we ARE in Germany.