dpa

Paris

The German basketball teams have been asked if they would consider not moving into the Paris Olympic Village and stay somewhere else due to a shortage of space, the Bild newspaper reported on Thursday.

The group stage of the men’s and women’s basketball competitions have been taking place in the north-eastern French city of Lille, but the knock-outs are back in the capital.

There was no confirmation from Paris 2024 organizers.

But Armin Andres, vice president of the German Basketball Federation and head of the delegation, told dpa: "I am appalled. That’s unbelievable. And for something like this to come out the day before our important match against France is simply unprofessional.

"I can’t understand how something like this can happen. It was clear that eight men’s and eight women’s teams from Lille were coming to Paris.”

Both German teams are already through to the knock-out rounds.

The world champion men will face France in Lille on Friday, while the women will play their final group match there on Sunday.

The knock-outs begin on Tuesday in Paris.

Men’s coach Gordon Herbert had already lamented being in Lille because it did not feel like an Olympics.