With this, the selection of the German Basketball Federation took a big step towards the second group phase of the qualifying round for the 2023 World Cup. Germany had previously lost against Estonia and won in Poland. The best German pitcher was Captain Robin Benzing with 17 points.
Herbert: “Respect for my boys”
“Congratulations to the boys. But it’s all about one thing at the moment: end this war,” Benzing said after the game, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Herbert also made it clear that it wasn’t easy to play basketball these days. “We all saw the pictures on TV,” said the Canadian: “But respect for my boys, they left their hearts on the floor.”
The second duel between the two teams will take place in Heidelberg on February 28th. Then the face of the German team will change. It is already clear that Maodo Lo and Johannes Thiemann from Alba Berlin will join the team. Herbert is also hoping for Andreas Obst from Bayern Munich. However, the Israelis will very likely come to Germany with a few players from the Euroleague. Among other things, Albas Tamir Blatt will be there.
German team showed morale
In Tel Aviv Germany had to do without the players from the Euroleague. In front of 3,500 spectators, the guests initially found it very difficult, especially on the offensive. The Herbert team held up well defensively, but not much went together in attack. After ten minutes it was 15:12 for the hosts.
In the second period, Israel initially pulled away to eleven points (28:17). But the German team showed morale, fought back and took the lead for the first time in the middle of the second quarter (30:29). At the break, Germany was just ahead (35:33).
After the change of sides, the German selection, where Hamburg’s Max DiLeo celebrated his debut in the Germany jersey, came out of the dressing room well and pulled away a bit for the first time (42:35). Above all, offensively, many actions remained fragmented, Israel was back up to the final quarter and even went into the last ten minutes with a narrow lead.
Israel initially pulled away briefly, but two three-pointers from Hamburg’s second debutant, Robin Christen, and captain Benzing brought Germany back. In the closing stages, veteran Benzing and just 20-year-old Justus Hollatz scored another important three-pointer and thus secured Germany the eminently important success.
Source: dpa