Germany’s basketball hopeful Franz Wagner did not get fit in time for the second World Cup group game against Australia.
The Orlando Magic professional was in Okinawa with a huge walking boot and ruled out a game against Australia (10:30 a.m. / Magentasport). “It’s not going to be anything today,” said Wagner, who will be 22 this Sunday, of “Bild” with reference to his ankle injury.
The German Basketball Federation (DBB) had left an assignment open until the end and was waiting for further results of the investigation. What the walking boots and the diagnosis mean for the third group game against Finland on Tuesday (9.30 a.m.) is still open.
In the game against Japan on Friday, Wagner twisted his ankle in the final quarter and had to be replaced. National coach Gordon Herbert later quarreled with himself as to why he hadn’t replaced Wagner earlier. Alongside captain Dennis Schröder, the winger is considered the most important player in the German team.