The German basketball players made a real statement at the World Cup in Japan. On Sunday (08/27/23) they won 85:82 (49:44) against the strong Australians. The reward: The DBB team is early group winner. The team of national coach Gordon Herbert can no longer be dislodged from first place in Group E after the surprising 98:88 by host Japan against Finland.
On the German side, the backcourt duo of Dennis Schröder (30 points, 8 assists) and Maodo Lô (20 points) played extremely well and carried the team to victory. Overall, however, it was a strong team performance and a match between equals. Patty Mills (21 points) and Josh Giddey, who posed enormous problems for the German defense in the second half, were impressive in Australia.
The game against the “Boomers” was the first endurance test at this World Cup, after the Japanese didn’t have the level in the first group game to keep up in this group. With the preparatory games against the USA and Canada (twice), Gordon Herbert’s team had adapted well to opponents of a high level. However, the German team had to do without Franz Wagner, who had to sit out due to an ankle injury. “Of course we also won for him on his birthday”said Schröder at the Sportschau microphone, “But what also sets us apart is that we have a ‘next man up’ mentality, no matter who is eliminated – that everyone who comes off the bench can also play.”
8-0 run to start
Germany actually started the game strongly with an 8-0 run. Very strong at the beginning Isaac Bonga, who harmonized well with Dennis Schröder and made the Australians sweat a lot. Their trainer Brian Goorjian took an early break and seemed to have hit his player Patty Mills quite well.
The Atlanta Hawks point guard turned up the heat and brought Australia into the match all alone. The first 13 points of the “Boomers” went entirely to the driver, who was only 1.83 meters tall.
Mills stops German starting momentum
The German offensive around Schröder became increasingly difficult, with Australia taking the lead towards the end of the quarter. An anklebreaker against Dante Exum followed by a layup by Maodo Lô ended the quarter that gave Australia a 25-24 lead.
Both teams increased the pace again in the second quarter, there were many easy points from layups. And Germany fought their way back into the match well. Schröder drove and the German team fought against the physically strong “Aussies”.
Schröder enormously strong, Bonga injured
At 41:33, the German team took the lead, after 17 minutes of play, Dennis Schröder, who was unleashed on the ball, already had 13 points on his account. Downer: Isaac Bonga disappeared into the dressing room after the first quarter and was initially unable to continue. “The win gives us a confidence boost (increases our self-confidence, ed.)‘Cause the only ones who can beat us are ourselves”Bonga said combatively to the sports show.
Germany went into the break with a 49:44 lead. Mills cooled off a bit in the second quarter, but his teammates were there and equalized over several shoulders. In Gordon Herbert’s team, Schröder was particularly hot. He was the top scorer of the game with 18 points, but also handed out five assists without losing the ball.
Weak third quarter, strong fight in the last round
A very weak third quarter put the German team behind. The offensive looked very different than in the first round – only 13 points were achieved there. Australia turned up the heat enormously and could have led even more clearly with the open throws with a little more luck. Score: 66:62 for Australia.
A 10-point run got the Germans back in the game well in the final quarter. It remained a hard-fought match, which the Germans narrowly won in the end due to a fantastic mentality and fighting performance.
Now against Finland
Against Finland, the DBB selection now has the opportunity to take three wins into the intermediate round on Tuesday (29.08.2023, 9.30 a.m.). Australia is fighting against Japan to get through.