The German basketball players also impressively won their fifth World Cup game. Slovenia around superstar Luka Dončić was a real opponent at 100:71 (38:34) only at the beginning of the game.
The German team led by Dennis Schröder goes into the quarter-finals on Tuesday as the group winner of the intermediate round. The opponent there will only be determined in the afternoon between Spain and Canada.
With Schroeder, without Wagner
Both teams had already been confirmed as quarter-finalists before the start of the game. In a direct duel, only the decision about the group victory had to be made. And they both wanted it. So Germany’s head coach Gordon Herbert was happy to be able to use Dennis Schröder again after his back problems. Especially since Franz Wagner still had to pause because of his ankle injury.
Everything was prepared for the duel of the still undefeated – but only one managed to get the match off to a good start: Slovenia. The team around superstar Luka Dončić literally rolled over the German team in the first quarter. Led by boss Dončić, the Slovenians showed a variable attacking game, initially causing insurmountable problems for the German team on the defensive.
Stress in the team – Schröder vs. Theis
And the Germans? Not much worked there – ball losses, missed passes, inaccuracies ensured that just eleven points were scored in the first section. But there was real trouble during a break when Schröder and teammate Daniel Theis almost physically clashed. Coach Herbert had to settle and first replaced the angry Schröder.
Slovenia’s Luca Doncic in a duel with Isaac Bonga
Maybe this discussion was needed – after all, Germany seemed like a different person. Schröder in particular turned up the heat, hit from a distance and close to the basket – the deficit was not only made up, but even turned into a half-time lead. At 38:34, Germany was in the lead halfway through the game.
Dončić limps, Germany revs up
Schröder and Co. won the second quarter with a whopping 27:9. Which possibly also had something to do with Dončić’s handicap – the 2.06 meter tall guard only limped across the floor in the second quarter.
After the break, the German team really turned up the heat – especially Schröder, who hit two threes at once, really enjoyed the match. It was 59:42 after 26 minutes of play. And Dončić was completely off the mark, had balls stolen in rows and only scored underground. The 68:52 after the third quarter spoke a clear language.
Game decided – Dončić and Schröder are rested
The game was practically decided in the last quarter – especially since Dončić was rested there early and taken off the field. The same applied to Schröder, who had once again done his day’s work in a first-class manner. The clear victory could no longer be taken away from the German team, which kept its clean sheet at this tournament.
Final round in Manila
The final round from the quarterfinals will be played completely in Manila from Tuesday. In addition to Germany, Olympic champions USA, world champions Spain and Canada are traded as favourites.
In Manila, the team of national coach Gordon Herbert will not only be about World Cup medals, but also about direct qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.