Trophy Tour arrives in Berlin

BERLIN (Germany) – The German capital, Berlin, which has been home to some of international basketball’s biggest games in recent times, is where the Naismith Trophy arrived on June 17.

The Trophy Tour presented by J9 is celebrating the unique basketball culture of each country playing in the 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup, which is being staged in Manila, Okinawa and Jakarta. Germany will play in Group E against Finland, Australia and Japan in Okinawa.

Soon after arriving in Berlin, the Naismith Trophy was taken to the Europaplatz, the main railway station that doubles as a mall. It was then photographed outside where a 3×3 tournament had been organized.

Trophy outside the Europaplatz in Berlin

The trophy that Germany’s national team will be trying to win was next taken to several famous locations, including the Marie Elisabeth Lüder Haus, the German Chancellery, Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, EastSideGallery and the “Satou Sabally” Basketball court.

Marie Elisabeth Lüders Haus

The scientific service center (above) of the German Parliament owes its name to the social politician and women’s rights campaigner, Marie Elisabeth Lüders.

Parts of the Berlin Wall have been rebuilt at this location to commemorate the division of the city along the former route of the Wall. Outside the building is a nice view of the canal and Berlin TV Tower.

The Berlin TV Tower is one of the most recognized landmarks in the city

The trophy displayed in front of The German Chancellery

Brandenburg Gate is now a national symbol of peace and unity

The Victory Column with Victoria, the Goddess of Victory, in the center of the Tiergarten

The East Side Gallery memorial

The East Side Gallery memorial in Berlin-Friedrichshain is a permanent open-air gallery on the longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall (1.3 km).

Artists have transformed the relic from times of separation into a colorful monument to the freedom of expression.

The Naismith Trophy was taken to Satou Sabally Court. Sabally, a EuroLeague Women champion this season with Fenerbahce, was a star for Germany’s youth national teams.

Fans were also able to see the trophy on June 18 at the Special Olympics World Games Festival (below), where it was showcased near the famous Neptune fountain.

Trophy at Special Olympics World Games Festival