Overview

• After missing three warm-up games with knee issues, Theis has logged only one national-team appearance in the build-up.
• Back-to-back friendlies against Spain in Madrid on Thursday and Cologne on Saturday are being treated as fitness checkpoints before EuroBasket opens on 27 August.
• Ex-international Per Günther called Theis indispensable and described him as the anchor of Germany's defense.
• Coach Álex Mumbru is navigating absences at center, with Moritz Wagner out with an ACL injury and Isaiah Hartenstein unavailable after a long NBA season.
• Dennis Schröder praised his long-time teammate, as analysts note this could be Theis's final major tournament while younger bigs like Ariel Hukporti and Tristan da Silva prepare for larger roles.