With the fourth win in the fifth and final group game of the European Basketball Championship, the German national team moved into the round of 16 as second in the group. There it goes against Montenegro.
Even without the NBA stars Dennis Schröder and Daniel Theis as well as the ailing Nick Weiler-Babb (shoulder injury), the team of national coach Gordon Herbert beat Hungary 106:71 (22:19, 32:20) in Cologne on Wednesday (September 7th, 2022). , 27:19, 25:13) and advanced to the knockout stages behind group winners Slovenia (88:82 against France).
The next opponent there on Saturday is Montenegro, who earned their ticket to the round of 16 by beating Georgia 81:73.
Wagner and Lo lead
In front of 17,513 spectators in the Cologne Arena, the German team initially lacked the necessary intensity, especially in defense. But thanks to a good rebound quota and two three-pointers from Christian Sengfelder in the final phase, it was enough for a narrow 22:19 lead after the first quarter.
In the second period, Germany’s shooting star Franz Wagner got more time and together with a strong Maodo Lo, the DBB selection controlled the game, especially with hits from the three-point line. At the break, the lead had grown to 15 points at 54:29.
Sengfelder at the end top scorer
Even in the second half, when youngster Justus Hollatz or Jonas “Wobo” Wohlfahrt-Bottermann got their playing times in the center positions and Wagner stayed on the bench, the German team didn’t break the thread. Concentrated in defense over long stretches, enthusiastic in the offensive and above all accurate from a distance (18 three-pointers), the DBB selection further extended their lead.
In the end there was an unchallenged victory with the top scorers Sengfelder (22 points) and Lo (21) on the German side. Zoltan Perl (15) scored the most points for Hungary.
Clear favorite role in the round of 16
Now it’s on to the knockout round. “We’re going to Berlin with a lot of self-confidence,” Wagner underscored the ambitions. In the eighth final in the federal capital, the German selection against Montenegro on Saturday is the favorite – then again with Schröder and Theis. Throw-in is at 6 p.m.