Germany’s basketball players wobbled in question against Luka Doncics Slovenen and ran behind for a long time, but in the end saved themselves nervous into the semi -finals.
The German basketball players prevailed on Wednesday evening, for the day exactly two years after the World Cup triumph, in a tremor game with 99:91 against Slovenia and can continue to dream of the next title at the European Championship finals in Riga.
The DBB team will now meet Finland again in the semi-finals on Friday (4 p.m.). The Finns, which were previously able to prevail against Georgia, had clearly defeated the German team in the preliminary round in front of their own audience in Tampere. In the second semi -final, Greece meets Turkey.
Luka Doncic was the top scorer of the game with 39 points, the German team was Franz Wagner (23 points) and Dennis Schröder (20) again the best throwers.
“We knew beforehand that it would not be an easy game against the Slovenes”said Andreas Obst and also looked towards the semi -finals: “We found the game back as a team. It was very important to us.”
Franz Wagner then praised the “Super Chemistry. We don’t lose faith.” Wagner also sees the team at this World Cup on a mission, the goal of which is now more tangible with the semi -finals: “We have lost some games in the past that we shouldn’t have lost. This is a sting that is still deep.”
A lot was talked about in the run -up to Slovenia’s superstar Doncic, the best scorer so far at this European Championship. With Isaac Bonga, the DBB team put on the best defender in the Slovenian master of ceremonies. Bonga Backerted Doncic from the start, hardly allowed him good throws.
DBB team susceptible to the defensive
But overall, the German defensive was not gripping enough, lost too many rebound duels, especially on the defensive board. Everything went according to plan for the Slovenes, who dictated the rhythm and were able to carry the game. Again and again the Slovenes came to the free -wing line and slight degrees, the German team did not find its strong fast offensive game at all, remained cold from a distance and was behind after the first quarter with 21:32.
The DBB team had the unpleasant game that wanted to avoid it under all circumstances. But in the second quarter they showed a reaction, finally managed a few ball over conquests and also got more access to the rebound. The offensive immediately got going: Daniel Theis Castle two uncompromisingly, Franz Wagner followed up with a spectacular spin-move plus a crashing dark.
Doncic early with four fouls – but DBB team blocked for a long time
Maodo Lo hung Doncic the third foul, but Slovenia’s Star continued to get through too often, was at the break at 22 points – the German team was further back, with 45:51.
At the beginning of the third quarter, Slovenia even suffered the fourth foul after an impetuous offensive action and had to hold back on the defensive. But the DBB team continued to seem inhibited and remained vulnerable: the Slovenes always scored in the zone after simple drives.
Tristan da Silva with Buzzerbeater – DBB team finally awake
Captain Schröder also found no way to solve the blockade in the German game, Franz Wagner kept racing. The Slovenes continued-it was Tristan da Silva, who woke up the team again at the end of the third quarter: the man from Orlando sank a throw in Steph-curry manner from his own half-the DBB team had shortened the deficit in front of the last quarter to four.
“That gave us really momentum again. That helped the whole team to take the fans with them again”said Isaac Bonga at the Sportschau microphone.
The German team fought, and finally the three fell: Andreas Obst brought the world champion of “Downtown” back into the lead, Maodo Lo put another three after-and made a five-point lead six and a half minutes before the end.
Maodo Lo with eight points in the final phase
But Luka Doncic also played: Slovenia’s leader brought his team back with five points, also with the help of some generous foul calls. The game remained tight, Maodo Lo was now taking over more and more for Schröder on the offensive. The Berliner scored 8 of his 11 points in the final quarter, repeatedly created degrees and also kept the nerves on the free -wire line.
Doncic guard Bonga, too, still had reserves despite his extra levels, took out the next free throws – and screwed the lead to seven points a minute before the end. This time Doncic and Co. had no more answer – the DBB team trembled into the semi -finals.
Bonga and Loen also found critical words in the joint sports show interview: “We are glad that we won. There were parts in the game where we were not good. We said in the Huddle that we had to play better if we want to achieve our goal”said Spielmacher Lo. “At the end of the day we are standing in our own way. The next time we just have to be ready”said Bonga. In the semi -finals against the Finns, his defensive qualities are likely to be in demand again – against Finland’s günen Lauri Markkanen.