They started with a rally in Las Vegas, followed by a week in Spain and another in Dubai, a long journey after their disastrous performance four years ago in China.

And here they are: the United States, back in the medal round of the Basketball World Cup.

The United States, without gathering their main NBA figures, face Germany on Friday for the passage to the duel for the championship. They reunite after their warm-up session three weeks ago, in which the Americans overcame a 16-point deficit to win 99-91. Germany have not lost since and are the only undefeated team in this tournament.

“Everything we’ve done in terms of preparation over the last five and a half weeks was aimed at getting to this point,” said USA coach Steve Kerr.

The United States finished seventh at the last edition of the World Cup. They responded by winning a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, held in 2021. This group included Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum among its leading figures.

For this World Cup, the Americans have formed a less carat team. But he was able to react throughout the tournament in the Philippines.

They will have to take precautions against Germany. They were superior for long periods of the exhibition duel, but they fizzled in the final minutes. Anthony Edwards scored 34 points and the United States finished the game with an 18-0 streak.

“We’re ready to hit the target,” Edwards said Thursday.

Even though the United States are the heavy favorites, no team member expects an easy process.

The last four world champions have gone undefeated: Spain in 2006; United States in 2010 and 2014; and again Spain in 2019. Germany are the last undefeated team and need to win two more games to achieve the greatest feat in their basketball history.

“It’s crazy to be here in the semi-finals of the World Cup,” said Germany’s Johannes Thiemann. “It has enormous significance for German basketball. We had a very good campaign last year at EuroBasket and now at the World Cup.

Players from both teams know each other. Toronto shooting guard Dennis Schroder has been in the NBA for a decade, most recently with the Los Angeles Lakers.

“He’s my friend,” Schroder said of American guard Austin Reaves, his former Lakers teammate. Reaves jokingly replied, “I don’t even like it.” Orlando striker Paolo Banchero has German brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner as teammates. American guard Tyrese Haliburton and German center Daniel Theis are teammates in Indiana.

CANADA VS. SERBIA

Jamal Murray couldn’t be with Canada. Neither Nikola Jokic for Serbia. Their national teams were able to respond without the stars of the Denver Nuggets, the NBA champion team.

Friday’s first semi-final will see Canada, seeking its first final, face a Serbian side who will be looking to reach the title duel for the second time in the last three World Cups. Both are 5-1 in the tournament.

Canada’s Spanish coach Jordi Fernández has expressed his admiration and respect for FIFA Hall of Famer coach Svetislav Pesic, who led the defunct Yugoslavia to World Cup gold 2002, beating Argentina in the final.

“He’s an exceptional coach, an exceptional project, the team has an identity,” said Fernández. “He has a lot of international experience, which we lack. But we acquire it day by day.

Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 25 points per game in the World Cup, the highest among the four semi-finalists. Serbia lead the tournament with 55% efficiency from the field and are the third team to receive the fewest points per game.