Germany’s basketball players once again meet Slovenia with superstar Luka Doncic in the European Championship quarter-finals. At the DBB team you know what to prepare for. Against Doncic, the best scorer of the tournament, it will also be important for German defense.
Before the round of 16 of the Casketball European Championship, the field of participants has thinned out properly. Some of the title candidates have already caught it: defending champion Spain, the French, silver medalists at the Olympics. The top favorite Serbia, with the NBA giant Nikola Jokic, is already at home.
The Slovenes are still there for that, and on Wednesday in Riga opponents of the German team in the quarter -finals. Even though they started the tournament very cumbersome, with two defeats, and then saved themselves in the KO round. The man is responsible for the stuttering start, as well as for the subsequent intermediate sprint, which everything revolves around Slovenia: NBA superstar Luka Doncic.
Slovenia Star Doncic – previous top scorer at the EM
The Lebemann from Ljubljana again accompany critical looks at this European Championship, it is about his body language and – as almost always – also about his fitness state. But Doncic is the undisputed leader of the team, the 26 -year -old playmaker is still hardly to stop when he plays his exceptional skills: with 34 points on average, Doncic is top scorer of the previous tournament. In the victory in the round of 16 against Italy, he scored 42 points, 30 of them in the first half – he had almost demoralized the Italians alone.
To get a picture of the Slovenian team at this European Championship, a scene from the Israel game is enough: Doncic sent a fantastic, almost surreal pass through the fully occupied zone, past four Israeli players. The ball actually landed at the teammate under the basket, which then drew it. Doncic’s facial expression, which the camera image then captured, was a mixture of incomprehension and disregard – like a famous Shakespeare actor, to whom a few Hyprical Pars had been put on stage.
Slovenia as a “one-man show”
Because experienced sizes such as Zoran Dragic or Vlatko Cancar are missing in the Slovenes in the supporting roles this time, everything is really tailored to their superstar. The other players willingly fit into the concept that the Slovenes brought again among the top eight teams in Europe: “Luka Magic” gives the one-man show forward.
In defense, the Slovenes rely on an unpleasant grueling tactic. They try to get into the opponent’s heads when it comes to dirty means: In direct one-on-one duel, the Slovenes also use the suspicion of a body contact to provoke an offensive foul. In the meantime, Doncic, her leader, is constantly working on the referees.
Against the German team, the “Luka gang” will do everything possible to carry the rhythm and to slow down the quick offensive game by Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner.
Reunion with Slovenia, again
The German team in turn has the great advantage that it knows what to expect. They were already dealing with the Slovenes on their way to the 2023 World Cup triumph, and also at the home for home in the previous year. Also in preparation for this European Championship there were two successful tests against the Slovenes – once with, once without Doncic, who dragged himself through the European Championship again.
In the quarter -finals, Isaac Bonga, the best German defender, will be the first to be used for Slovenia’s superstar. Doncic can never be completely stopped individually, said Maodo Lo at the Sportschau-Microphone. “We have to find a way as a team.”
So far, Slovenia’s star has been on the floor for more than 33 minutes on average, and his energy level has already been noticeably down during the past games. This is why the DBB team will always try to edit it with several defenders.
DBB team also relies on strong defense
So far, the German team shone on the offensive and has by far scored most points per game (102.3). However, it goes down a bit of how effective the team also works in the defense: In the previous six appearances, the DBB team has approved an opposing hit rate of just 38.8 percent of all litters from the field, this is the best defensive value of all teams in the tournament.
Alan Ibrahimagic, who plays the role of head coach at the games for the not completely fit, was self -confident before the quarter -final duel and emphasized his own strengths: “I am convinced that we are the better team”said Ibrahimagic. “We will try again to make the game quickly, to use our qualities and our deep bank. Everything that has distinguished us so far.”
The team is well prepared, also for Slovenia’s superstar. “No matter how outstanding it is. He too cannot defeat a team alone”said Ibrahimagic.