The German basketball players are in the World Cup final. Thanks to an almost perfect game and strong nerves in crunch time, they achieved a sensational victory against the actually overpowering US boys. Gordon Herbert’s team can now immortalize themselves with gold.
Screams of joy, jumps for joy, clenched fists in Manila: thanks to a sensational team performance including an almost perfectly implemented game plan, Germany wins “perhaps the best FIBA game of all time” and not only secures their first place in the final, but also their first gold or silver -Medal at a Basketball World Cup. In a game for the history books – more points have never been scored in a semi-final – the outsider keeps his cool against the big favorites USA and can play in the final against Serbia on Sunday (2.40 p.m., ZDF, Magentasport and in the ntv.de live ticker) crown a hero’s journey.
“It’s amazing when you understand what this means for German basketball. I’m overwhelmed,” says Moritz Wagner, struggling to compose himself minutes after the final whistle. “We are all very, very grateful to be part of this wave. That’s what predominates right now: gratitude that you can be part of this group, part of this experience, and we enjoy that.” For the first time in World Cup history, three German players score at least 20 points in the same game: Andreas Obst (24), Franz Wagner (22) and Daniel Theis (21), supported by Dennis Schröder (17), Moritz Wagner (10) and Johannes Thiemann (10), also in the double-digit scoring range.
It’s a real masterpiece from Gordon Herbert’s team, who passed on all the praise to his team in the subsequent press conference: “We stuck together, got tougher when things got harder. We had a three-year plan, this is year two. Everyone here “We are committed to each other and take exemplary care of each other. They support each other and fight for each other. A very special group of special players, but even better people.”
Best World Cup game of all time?
Herbert’s men finally start a game focused and efficient. With 33 points in the opening quarter, the Germans managed 30 or more points in the first quarter for the fourth time in World Cup history – and the first time since the 2006 World Cup in Japan. After just six minutes there were 25 points – more than in the last two games in the first quarter combined. In the second section the lead changes back and forth again and again, the USA lead by a narrow margin, 59:60, at the break.
After the break, the Germans powered out of the locker room at full speed. It should be ten almost perfect minutes. Theis, who excels on both sides of the pitch, scores six quick points and has already set a personal record with 19 points in his twelfth World Cup game. Franz Wagner also broke his career high early at a World Cup with his third three-pointer and 17 points. Andy Obst became the match winner with 10 of his 24 points in this phase. “For me, Andy is one of the best shooters in the world,” says the German coach about his sniper. “But he can do more than just throw. He can move to the basket himself, create and make space for Dennis and Franz. And he can defend at a high level. His development is incredible. He was simply great today.”
Germany overwhelmed the US defense with 35 points on 68 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line, with just one turnover. It’s the kind of controlled basketball that pulls the Americans’ teeth. Under the watchful eye of US basketball icon Carmelo Anthony, the Germans took a 94:84 lead. “We just believed in it,” says the team’s oldest, Niels Giffey. “We wanted to keep the tempo low, play in the halfcourt, control the rebounds, not let them get going. And we also have a few killers who can put 120 on the scoreboard.”
Then comes the “Thrilla in Manila”
In the final quarter things go haywire. The favorite senses that the door is slowly closing and turns up the beat. Little by little, Steve Kerr’s team is fighting its way back, whipped up by frenetic shouts of “Defense, Defense!” from the fans in Manila, turning a big deficit into a crunch time thriller. Nine points in a row bring the Americans within 106:103. What a drama, what a treacherous game. Maximum intensity on every centimeter of the court, unbelievable.
Germany is opposing it. Physically, but especially mentally. The five players repeatedly go into the huddle on the pitch, discuss what is happening, give each other instructions and cheer each other on. The cohesion and focus are at the absolute peak of the tournament. The energy from the bench is also outstanding.
“It’s easy to hang your head in moments like this and drift in different directions,” Franz Wagner gave an insight into the German psyche on the podium after the game. “But we’ve been in this situation a few times, including during preparation in Abu Dhabi. We just wanted to stay together and take every possession of the ball for ourselves. In the end we made a few tough plays. Of course, there’s always a bit of luck to that, but you deserve it a bit in a game like this.”
37 seconds of basketball for the ages
When Austin Reaves sank a spectacular jumper against Schröder and two shots from the line, the lead dwindled to just one point. With 1:31 minutes left in the game, the momentum is completely on the Americans’ side. Germany wobbles, but Germany shows nerves, Germany gets a throw-in under the American basket.
What follows are the longest 37 seconds in the World Cup history of German basketball. A throw-in move straight out of a picture book, Obst comes sprinting across the full width of the field, receives the ball, lets opponent Tyrese Haliburton run into space and hits his fourth three-pointer of the game. 111:107 Germany. On the other side, Isaac Bonga clears Mikal Bridges with a monster block – with less than a minute on the clock – before Schröder nets a mid-range shot from the dribble against Austin Reaves, against his former Los Angeles Lakers teammate.
He then reduced the score to 113:109 by dunking, but Anthony Edwards threw the ball out of bounds with only 27 seconds left on the clock. On the last possession, the Americans took too long to score. Germany saved the narrow lead over time and is in seventh basketball heaven. “Congratulations to Germany and nothing but respect,” Jalen Brunson later takes off his hat. “They played fantastic from start to finish. Whenever we had a run, they responded. They managed to stick to their game plan and win the game.”
“No longer 1992”
Star coach Steve Kerr’s face says it all. Shortly after he walks thoughtfully, dejectedly and in pain from the floor of the Mall of Asia Arena into the locker room, with the highly paid and high-class NBA players and assistant staff in tow, he has to analyze the defeat in detail in front of the assembled crowd of journalists . How could it be that the USA, the heavy favorites, couldn’t even reach the final? “This is no longer 1992,” explains the 57-year-old, referring to the Olympic Games in Barcelona, when the American dream team dominated and made basketball internationally acceptable.
“Germany has a lot of big, strong guys. They put a lot of pressure on our defense and played us against the wall. We just weren’t physical against them. Schröder deserves a lot of respect. He’s difficult to get under control, he pulls with his Dribbling and his drives keep getting into the zone and putting pressure on your defense. And we made mistakes. We have to box out on the first possession. That has to be right from the start. So Obst hits a three-pointer after the offensive rebound and gets straight into it River. He was the key today.”
And while the Americans mourn missed opportunities – Michael Bridges says, for example: “If we could play this game again, we would play together more. Like Germany, they stuck together for 40 minutes” – the German protagonists laugh, celebrate and Don’t tell me anymore. To the final question from ntv.de as to whether a bit of hype can now finally arise at home, Moritz Wagner answers in his usual straightforward manner: “You mean that maybe something will be broadcast on TV now?” When he finds out that the grand finale on Sunday will actually be free to air, his brother is walking past him towards the dressing room. “Wow, look at that. You’re happy when there’s at least a little recognition. That means a lot to you as an athlete. Hey Franz, it’s on TV on Sunday, yeeeaah…!”