20
14:50
What a litter from Schröder! Deep down, the playmaker decides for the three, almost from the center line. 22 seconds separate the players from half-time, but Gordon Herbert calls his men back for a time-out.
20
14:49
Strong! Schröder served Big Man Theis with the Alley Oop! With both arms he dunks for two points, just an outstanding move, the understanding between the two is blind.
19
14:47
The three-point quota of the Japanese has slipped below 20%, which is also a decisive factor for the clear lead. Hirotaka Yoshii tries the layup after the drive, but Theis has something against it and blocks the ball away with incredible physique.
18
14:44
After a short period of rest in the game, the Germans picked up the pace again and are again in control of the game. So Japan is forced to intervene with a time-out…
17
14:43
Mister reliable converts the next three: After preparatory work by Franz Wagner, who binds three people, Andi Obst pushes the free throw into the net.
16
14:42
The second quarter is much more balanced, the Germans continue to find easy opportunities to score, but now also allow themselves more turnover. The hosts continue with their game, look for their opportunities and are now finding better solutions through the tempo game.
15
14:38
The Japanese are now fighting more courageously, trying everything they can. Again and again they dare with courageous drives against the German Big Man, but difficult throws from the baseline remain the method of choice.
14
14:35
On the other hand, Moritz Wagner gets the open throw from the line of three, there is no opponent far and wide. He scores for three points, that’s his points ten, eleven and twelve on his account.
13.
14:34
It’s too easy: The Germans are too inattentive and concede an easy hit from the transition. Yuta Watanabe put his scoring at eight points.
12.
14:33
Coach Herbert rotates his squad: Bonga, Lô Mo Wagner and Thiemann get a lot of minutes. The established starting five get a breather.
11.
14:32
The start has worked so far, the Germans are sticking to their match plan and trying to create clear chances in the box with quick, simple passes. Franz Wagner is fouled and will go to the line twice.
11.
2:30 p.m
Beginning of 2nd quarter
10
14:29
Quarter conclusion:
The Germans start the tournament confidently with a good rhythm. The Japanese are doing their best to counter it, but it only took a few minutes for the Eagles to find themselves and take control of the game. The roles are clearly distributed here, which is the desired start for the DBB selection.
10
14:28
End of 1st quarter
10
14:28
Yuta Watanabe occasionally lets his individual qualities flash, here he sends Isaac Bonga on his journey after the pick and roll and rewards his drive with a great layup.
9.
14:26
Another impressive number: Germany commits the first team foul after more than eight minutes. This also reflects the low physical intensity and the quick shots from a distance by the Japanese.
9.
14:25
The ball runs patiently through their own ranks, in the end Mo Wagner finds the open shot from outside. That’s a safe three counters.
8th.
14:24
Even if Gordon Herbert has found his clear starting formation, the national coach changes happily. The deep bank is impressive, there is no drop in performance, they keep forcing the home side to make simple mistakes and hasty throws.
7.
14:23
After a few minutes, the Eagles can establish their game. With a lot of play in the box, they consistently play off their size advantage under the basket, so head coach Tom Hovasse only has the first time-out. In the meantime, the lead of the Germans has grown to ten points.
6.
14:21
Big Man Thiemann is strongly staged by Mo Wagner under the board, the dunk is then only a matter of form. None of the Japanese block players can keep up with that.
5.
14:19
So far it’s a calm, controlled game. The DBB selection is stable and arrived on the court. Schröder’s team found its rhythm immediately and adapted to the Japanese style of play.
4.
14:18
The Japanese rely on the tempo game, quickly looking for a conclusion. Especially with throws from the outside, at the baseline, they try to score with a lot of risk. But the Germans countered with their physical presence, playing patiently on the offensive until there was a clear possibility.
3.
14:16
Franz Wagner shows himself for the first time, with his drive he clearly asserts himself directly against two opponents and cleanly puts the ball in for two points.
2.
14:15
Schröder immediately takes control of the pace game, but Yuta Watanabe blocks the German captain with ease.
1.
14:13
In the half field, the physically inferior Japanese are struggling, in the transition Theis provides the first two points on the German account.
1.
14:12
Let’s go! Group E game between Germany and Japan is open.
1.
14:12
game start
14:11
That’s how she sees it Starting five from: Gordon Herbert starts with Obst, Schröder, Theis, Voigtmann and F. Wagner. The hosts begin with Baba, Hara, Hawkinson, Togashi, and Watanabe.
14:07
Even if the Japanese shouldn’t be the biggest hurdle in this tournament, the hosts shouldn’t be underestimated. With the support of the audience, they should be an unpleasant opponent. But without their NBA star Rui Hachimura (LA Lakers), the DBB team is likely to be a tricky opening task. However, they want to continue with their throwing power from the outside, which they have already demonstrated in friendly wins against New Zealand and South Korea.
13:59
The German leaders are in top form for the World Cup. Especially the NBA stars Franz and Moritz Wagner, as well as team captain Dennis Schröder should set decisive accents and lead the team as far as possible in the tournament. There was a sensational bronze medal at the last European Championships, and today we want to build on these achievements against Japan. The roles should be clear for today, for the Herbert squad it’s about a good start to the tournament and getting into the rhythm of the tournament.
13:51
About the format of the World Cup: Germany starts in Group E with host Japan, co-favourite Australia and insider tip Finland in the tournament. The top two play against two Group F nations (Slovenia, Georgia, Cape Verde, Venezuela) for the knockout rounds, which in turn are only reached by two teams. Then it continues with the quarter-finals, where the DBB selection could, for example, meet defending champions Spain, France or Canada. Many teams have publicly underlined their high ambitions, the pressure is great to prevent early elimination.
13:43
Many experts agree: This could possibly be the best German basketball team of all time and is therefore a serious contender for a medal. In particular, the preparation gives reason for hope, so the team of national coach Gordon Herbert showed in strong playful condition. The Eagles were able to win a test match against co-favourite Canada, and the national team also held their own against the reigning Olympic champion USA for a long time, but had to admit defeat by a narrow margin.
1:35 p.m
Hello and welcome to the start of the 2023 Basketball World Cup! In the preliminary round of group E, the DBB selection meets co-hosts Japan in their first appearance, tip-off is in Okinawa at 14:10!