Sengfelder: “A great victory for us”
“It was a big win for us. I think we showed a lot of character”, said Bamberg’s Christian Sengfelder, with 14 points the second best German thrower. National coach Herbert summarized: “We certainly didn’t play our best basketball, but we found a way to win the game.”
Maodo Lo best pitcher
Herbert was able to build on reinforcements from the Euroleague in the fourth group game. Maodo Lo, with 18 points promptly the best thrower of the German teams was, and Johannes Thiemann from master Alba Berlin and Andreas Obst (Bayern Munich) were available differently than in Israel.
weak phase after the break
After a balanced first quarter, Germany took the lead and temporarily moved up to five points. In particular, the accuracy from a distance caused concern – and after the break, the German made it team then a period of weakness. Israel used this ice-coldly: The guests came up and then drew up to 15 points away (50:65).
Fruit with five points in a row
Cheered on by their vociferous fans the German selection started a catch-up race in the final section. Obst scored five points in a row, Germany took the lead 76:75 and had the better end in the hard-fought final phase.
It continues on June 30th in Estonia and on July 3rd against Poland, then the Germans could also play for the first time in the current World Cup qualifier NBA-Professionals around Dennis Schröder are available. And even then, with a view to the World Cup ticket, more victories are needed, because: All points are taken.
Duels with European champions Slovenia threaten
After the first phase with three teams from season C, the three top nations form a new group, and there is a risk of duels with European champions Slovenia, among other things. Since at least third place is required for a place in the World Championship in the second qualifying phase, there is still a good way to go.
Source: sid/dpa