“A very tough game”
Basketball players are in World Cup form against Canada
08/09/2023, 10:45 p.m
Before the upcoming World Cup, the German basketball players are in good shape. The team led by NBA professional Dennis Schröder prevailed against co-favorite Canada with 86:81. National coach Herbert still sees a need for learning.
The German basketball players passed the next endurance test on the way to the World Cup in Asia. With an 86:81 (50:34) against World Cup favorite Canada, the team around NBA star Dennis Schröder also won the second game of the preparation in the evening in Berlin. Franz Wagner (18 points) and Daniel Theis (17) scored the most points in an intense encounter in front of 12,387 spectators in the sold-out arena at Ostbahnhof. Before that there had been a 87:68 win against Sweden in Bonn on Saturday. Last year, the DBB selection sensationally secured bronze at the European Championships in the capital.
“It was a very, very tough game. It’s important that we took a step forward,” said top scorer Franz Wagner at MagentaSport. National coach Gordon Herbert was annoyed by a short period of weakness after the break: “We had the momentum and lost it in three minutes. We will learn from it.”
On their return to Berlin, the hosts surprised Canada with a tough defense and surprisingly had a clear lead of 27:14 after the first quarter. The brothers Moritz and Franz Wagner from the NBA club Orlando Magic were particularly motivated when they performed in their home town. The former professionals from Alba Berlin caused the Canadians some problems both offensively and defensively with their uncompromising style of play.
On the other side, star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder could not shine at first and remained without points against the good defense of DBB captain Dennis Schröder until the middle of the second quarter. The North Americans competed in Germany with seven players from the NBA, but in Jamal Murray from champion Denver Nuggets, the currently best was missing. It is possible that Murray will go to the World Cup with the team where Canada, like Germany, would like to take a medal with them.
Coach conceded technical foul
National coach Herbert also coached his home country Canada in 2018 before taking over as German head coach three years later. Shortly before the end of the first half, the 64-year-old conceded a technical foul from the sidelines because he complained about a heavy block by Canadian Dillon Brooks, who prevented Franz Wagner from scoring a basket without considering an injury.
The Germans went into half-time with a big lead, but after the break the guests turned up the heat and closed the gap to within three points (50:47). Captain Schröder of the Toronto Raptors then took responsibility and made the audience cheer with safely converted throws. Nevertheless, it remained close before the final quarter (66:58), one minute before the end Canada managed to equalize (79:79). Franz Wagner made the decision with a successful three-point shot.
The German team will play four more friendlies before the start of the World Cup on August 25th in Okinawa, Japan. Opponents are also title candidates USA and Greece. On Saturday the Supercup in Hamburg will be played first against China, after that it could go against Canada again. Before the tournament in Asia, the squad has to be reduced from 14 to twelve players.