Germany’s Finest Philippine Tour

[Streetball’s Finest  –  5.14.12] – Germany’s Finest Philippine Tour

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 

Images: Germany’s Finest / Paul Gudde

Germany’s Finest - Germany’s only true streetball movement (www.germanysfinest.de), will be visiting the Philippines very soon and And1 Philippines will be bringing you the latest news prior to their arrival, the tour dates and venues, and images/videos including behind-the-scenes interviews.  I have recently gotten in touch with Paul Gudde thru And1 Germany's Laurent Burkart.  Gudde is hailed by most German basketball fans as the one of the godfathers of German streetball (and one of the three founders of Germany’s Finest along with German Graham and Simon Zeitz) and he gave me the official word on what’s going to happen this May-June 2012.

Paul Gudde's profile, from the Germany's Finest official page

A collection of some of Germany’s best basketball talent, the group started out in 2000.  These players may not have played on a professional level but they took their game across the borders and into other countries.  Over the years the movement grew and more and more players from all over Germany joined Germany’s Finest. Now, the group consists of basketball players, dunkers and freestylers from all parts of Germany.  Aside from playing the game that they love, they also reach out to the younger generation (kids and young adults) and have been doing a lot of mentoring and coaching.  More about Germany’s Finest in here (click link).

Aside from Paul Gudde, Fabian Greiser and Lars Meyer (aka Larry Lawless) are also slated to join the Philippines for the tour.  The group intends to have a good time while in the country, get to know more about the Philippines, its people and culture, and share the love of the game of basketball.  Paul quipped “..we’ve heard that the Philippines are (is) crazy about basketball and so are we”.

Paul Gudde showing off his handles..

Check out some Youtube highlights of Germany’s Finest, posted below:

Lars Meyer killing it at MIT

..and the rest of Germany's Finest (MIT)

The initial tour schedule is as follows:

• Manila (May 20 arrival):

May 23, 26 and 28 - games against the PBA D-League and possibly a PBA Team.

Venue (to be announced)

• Bacolod (May 31 arrival):

June 1 - exhibition game against Brgy Cansilayan and Murcia Selection Players.

June 2 or June 3 - Game against West Negros College in West Negros Gym.

• Boracay:

June 5 - game against Boracay Selection Team

Venue (to be announced)

From what I gather, the games are FREE to watch, and we’ll give you more updates about the Manila leg (venue and which teams they will face) in our next blog article.  For now, check out more pictures and videos of the Germany’s Finest which I’ve posted below:

Germany's Finest Old School Clip

Germany's Finest Top 10

The group are officially sponsored by And1 Germany (s/o to Laurent and Max) and will be outfitted with a variety of jerseys, shorts, and sleeveless shirts (for outdoor play).  The online roster of Germany’s Finest can be viewed here (click this link) but other players not listed in the official website may join the tour.  For more info, you can email them at info@germanysfinest.de. 

Watch out for more And1 Ph news in the local and international scene by following us on Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  And that’s the 411, And Juan!