“Nothing to lose”
Germany’s concern in front of the Finn Revanche
12.09.2025 – 07:12 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The German team warns for caution before the European Championship semi-final against Finland. Despite the clear preliminary round victory, a highly competitive game is expected.
The roles are clearly distributed on paper, but world champion Moritz Wagner senses a danger from Germany’s opponent Finland before the semi-finals of the SECMENTIONSE SEM (from 4 p.m. in the live ticker at T-Online). “This is a team that has nothing to lose,” said Magentasport TV expert, “they have already lost against Germany, they are now coming with a fuck-it-mindset.”
Germany had clearly won the first meeting in the group phase with 91:61. Finland played in front of a home crowd in Tampere-NBA professional Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz) could not prevent the defeat. Nevertheless, Moritz Wagner trusts the team to become dangerous in the semi -finals. For him, despite all the signs, the team is a “heavy opponent” with self -confidence. He describes the setting of the Finn with a simple picture: “Throw the stones up, either they go in or not.”
Franz Wagner also looks at the opponent with respect. The Berliner does not want to overestimate the first duel: “In the end you look at the end result and think that it will be very simple – but it is usually not in sports.” The conditions are different in KO games anyway.
Finland “played very well against us in Tampere,” said the NBA star. At that time, the German team managed to “establish our rhythm in the game”. This is exactly what will be the key this time. One thing is particularly crucial, says Franz Wagner: “We have to rebound better. If you have the rebounds, it is always a bit easier to find the rhythm.”
And Finland’s top star Lauri Markkanen also warns the Germans, says to “Bild”: “It will be a competitive game. We know what the Germans have for a team, we have already played against them. It wasn’t our best game back then.”
And further: “But we are now a better team than we were in the preliminary round, our interaction works better. And we studied them and prepared them some surprises. Our fans who transform the arena into a home hall for us-the game will be great fun!”