Serbia has a chance for the team’s most important victory in 21 years. Canada is aiming for its first medal in a major tournament in 87 years. Germany is one victory away from its best basketball team achievement.

And then there is the United States, who will play for bronze.

The Basketball World Cup – a 32-team odyssey played in three countries over two and a half weeks – ends Sunday with the medal games in Manila. It will be a completely European final between Germany (7-0) and Serbia (6-1) for gold; as well as a North American duel for bronze between Canada (5-2) and the United States (5-2).

“The world is playing good basketball,” United States leader and captain Jalen Brunson acknowledged Saturday after the team’s final practice. “Respect for everyone.”

Germany and Serbia have certainly earned all the respect and will be on the medal podium together as at the 2002 World Championships. Serbia won their last title in this event (as did Yugoslavia), while Germany won won what was until then his first and only medal. at the World Cup and the Olympics – a bronze medal.

Germany reached the final by defeating the United States 113-111 in the semifinals. Serbia beat Canada 95-86 in the other semifinal.

“From the first day we met this summer, we believed that we were a special group and that we could win against any team,” said German striker Franz Wagner.

Serbian coach Svetislav Pešić led the team to the 2002 tournament. Now, at 74, he will have the chance to win World Cup gold again 21 years later.

“I don’t want to say it, but he is close to the end of his career,” warned Serbian striker Filip Petrusev. “He took the job to bring home a medal, so I think it means everything to him, it means everything to us, to everyone at home.”

There were 26 NBA players in the World Cup semifinals, including 19 with the United States and Canada – at least seven of those players will leave without a medal. Germany has four and Serbia three.

“Part of the competition is you’re not going to win all the time,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “You’re going to compete, you’re going to do everything to win, but part of competing is accepting the fact that you’re going to experience disappointments.”

There will be more on Sunday, when the United States and Canada face off.