The United States was defeated by Germany in the FIBA World Cup semifinals.
The United States men's basketball team was defeated in the FIBA World Cup semifinals by Germany, putting the Americans to the bronze-medal game.
Germany defeated the United States 113-111 in Manila to go to their first Olympic or world championship final (Sunday versus Serbia).
It was Germany's first victory over the United States in their ninth encounter since the Dream Team period began in 1992.
The United States has lost two games in a row at the World Cup, breaking the record for most points conceded in an Olympics or World Cup.
"This team is very worthy of winning a championship, and we just didn't get it done," stated head coach Steve Kerr.
The game has become more global in the last 30 years or so."
Four years ago, it finished seventh, the lowest major tournament finish in program history, before rebounding to capture its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
On Sunday, the United States takes on Canada for bronze, hoping to avoid losing three major tournaments in a row for the first time since the 2004 Athens Olympics.
That disaster in Greece aided in the overhaul of men's basketball in the United States.
The elite NBA players are not participating in the World Cup, continuing a recent pattern.
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