Germany’s basketball players suffered their first defeat at the home European Championship. Defending champion Slovenia and superstar Doncic were too tough.
The German team lost on Tuesday (September 6th, 2022) in Cologne against Slovenia with 80:88 (36:44). Slovenia’s NBA star Luka Doncic made the difference with 36 points and many important actions – it was the leading player’s best European Championship performance to date Dallas Mavericks. “The way he played on offense – that’s different,” said Germany’s Maodo Lo from Alba Berlin of the sports show. “It was really different performance.”
In addition, the defending champions defended so effectively that the German team took many shots from the three-point line and, apart from the final phase, had a weak rate. “We weren’t as physical and as clever as the Slovenians, we had far too many fouls, they went to the free-throw line too often. And then we didn’t hit that well either,” said Franz Wagner. The NBA shooting star only got eight points this time and only used two of his seven attempts from the field.
Now against Hungary
Despite the defeat, Germany still has a chance of moving into the round of 16 as group winners. The prerequisite is a win on Wednesday against bottom-placed Hungary, who have lost all their games so far. At the same time, a defeat of the Slovenes against France would be necessary. The round of 16 duels will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 10th and 11th.
Eight threes in a row missed
The German team started nervously and not very accurately in front of 18,017 spectators. The first seven three-pointers all missed, Slovenia took the lead with 12:6 (7th minute) despite a poor hit rate.
Maodo Lo then broke the ban from the three-point line on the eighth try, but the game remained shaky. Doncic ended the first quarter with two free throws, giving Slovenia a 21-14 lead at half-time.
Schröder and Doncic in focus
Nine days ago, Germany had surprisingly dominated the Slovenians in the World Cup qualifier and won 90:71. But the balance of power was different in the European Championship duel: Slovenia dominated and pulled away to 31:17 (14th). Schröder, who had previously missed four long-range shots, then ended his slack with two three-pointers in a row. His NBA rival Doncic countered with several strong moves and throws, so that Slovenia went into the half-time break at 44:36.
In the third quarter a duel developed between Germany and Doncic. The hosts improved as one, led by Captain Schröder, who became the best German thrower with 19 points. In the 27th minute the deficit was only two points (52:54). But Doncic kept taking control of the game, presented his irresistible move to the basket and played a major role in Slovenia leading after the third quarter (55:61).
Wagner misses the chance to connect
In the final round, Slovenia initially started without Doncic, but confidently defended the lead. Germany found their marksmanship from the outside late on and came close to five points shortly before the end. But Franz Wagner missed from the line of three, Schröder conceded another technical foul – the close but deserved defeat was sealed.