The German basketball players spoiled hosts Japan and proved their strength on Friday (08/25/2023) right at the start of the World Cup.
Captain Dennis Schröder’s team clearly won the first preliminary round game in Okinawa with 81:63 (53:31) and thus made a big step towards the second round. In addition to Schröder (14 points), Moritz Wagner, who made his debut at the World Cup, trumped with 25 points and nine rebounds.
The duel between the European Championship third and the physically completely inferior Japanese was already decided at halftime.
Concerns about Franz Wagner
Franz Wagner gave cause for concern. The NBA pro from the Orlando Magic twisted his left foot in the fourth quarter and was not used in the closing stages. It was initially unclear how serious the injury to the most important player in the German team alongside Schröder was.
With the undisputed victory, Germany’s basketball players – unlike in 2010 and 2019 – managed to make a tailor-made start to the World Cup. While the last two World Cup participations ended after the preliminary round, this time a victory over Australia on Sunday (10.30 a.m. / live ticker at sportschau.de) even means a premature leap into the intermediate round.
Australia sovereign with nine NBA players
The Australians, equipped with nine NBA players, also indicated their great quality with the 98:72 over Finland. It should be an early final for the group victory for the team of national coach Gordon Herbert.
Around 8,000 spectators – almost all in Japan’s colors red and white – hoped for a sporting sensation in the Okinawa Arena. An atmospheric and colorful opening ceremony over 30 minutes heated up the audience just as much as the Japanese professionals, who showed a few crashing dunks just before the game started while warming up. Well-known classics such as DJ Ötzi’s “Anton aus Tirol” roared out of the speakers. With loud “Nippon” shouts, the hosts’ fans drove their team forward from the start, they celebrated every successful action.
Germany uses economies of scale
But the sporting differences quickly became clear. Germany made good use of its size and athletic advantages and repeatedly achieved good throwing positions. Daniel Theis and Moritz Wagner, coming from the bench, could not be controlled under the basket.
Japan lacked any presence under the basket without star player Rui Hachimura. Coach Herbert, on the other hand, was spot on with Wagner’s early substitution. The Japanese tried their luck from afar, but became increasingly distant. “We have to take away their threesomes”Herbert announced before the game – it worked.
Potential from test matches confirmed
With the victory, the German team successfully continued the bronze coup at the European Championships last year and proved the great potential that they had already hinted at in friendlies against Canada, Greece and the USA. The Herbert team was once again supported by the four NBA pillars Schröder, Theis and the two Wagner brothers Franz and Moritz. That’s how it was in preparation.
The second row around the bench players Isaac Bonga and Maodo Lo still has room for improvement, but thanks to the clear lead in the final quarter they got plenty of playing time. On the way to the finals in Manila, the Japanese were not yet a touchstone. That should change quickly with the game against Australia on Sunday. Like Germany, the Olympic bronze medalist is aiming for a World Cup medal.