What a sight my ancestors. This Tuesday, Greeks and Germans got into each other’s faces at the Berlin Arena in such an elegant way that the expression “fucked on the face” ultimately not suitable. European basketball has made its publicity, and in the end, it is Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder and all their Teutonic friends who validate their ticket for the last four. Debrief.
For the boxscore of the match, it’s HERE!
“But why do the Greeks do that? ». From the start, Dimitrios Itoudis’ men defended in a 70’s way and regrouped in the racket, as if the 3-point line did not yet exist: immediate sanction signed Dennis Schroder, Andreas Obst and Jerry West. Therefore ? The Germans are already 6/7 of the parking lot in four minutes and place a first run, while four out of five Greek players have not yet digested the Arkunir Burger at noon. The fifth ? Who else than Giannis Antetokounmpo to save his teammates from drowning: the Greek Freak balances his special game of support – broad shoulders – quiet finish and fault taking, and even manages to inspire his teammates. Hop, Tyler Dorsey took the temperature, snipes from afar and also limits the breakage. Opposite, the Germans are at 25 points in five minutes of play – the bases are crazy – but slow down in the second part of the quarter, undermined by the intensity of the Antetokounmpo brothers. The not very technical but very brave Thanasis recovers an alley-oop in the Berlin sky, explodes the circle, makes the plane with his arms, lowers the shorts of his vis-à-vis, asks “Who that, who that? » when the DJ passes the Midnight Demons, then comes back on defense. The two formations are (almost) equal, the show is total (Germany 31 – 27 Greece).
31-27 Germany, end of the first quarter.
No words for this first period, huge atmosphere, crazy address, Giannis who puts a whole country on his back…
We are on sick bases!
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 13, 2022
Still reeling from the first quarter, the quality of play in the second also put us in the lurch. We are witnessing a trench war between two teams with diametrically opposed styles. The Mannschaft of basketball recites its systems, very square, and applies to read the game more than to force on its individualities. Germans what. The offensive sequences of the Greeks highlight Giannis Antetokounmpo, around which orbit four players including the clinic Giannoulis Larentzakis (3/3 shooting including 2/2 from afar). It’s well paced, and it’s still going to intensify. Four minutes from returning to the locker room, the men become demi-gods: an action, a successful 3-pointer off the screen, an action, a successful 3-pointer after step-back, an action, a 3-pointer managed the buttocks posed in the corner. There’s trashtalk, yelling at the refereeing corps and a crazy success. Looks like Golden State against the Warriors. “Wololo, the level of playuuuu! », appreciate George Eddy. Is this the best half of this EuroBasket so far? The shot from midfielder Kostas Sloukas, at the intermission buzzer, makes us say yes (Germany 57 – 61 Greece).
NBA player stats at halftime:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo : 19 points at 8/11 in shooting, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 lost balls and 1 interception.
- Franz Wagner : 10 points at 4/7 shooting, 2 fouls and 3 lost balls.
- Dennis Schroder : 15 points at 4/8 shooting, 1 rebound, 6 assists and 2 loose balls.
KOSTAS SLOUKAS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. ????#EuroBasket x #TissotBuzzerBeater
???? https://t.co/XA74Vlj3Yw pic.twitter.com/BOVGrs3Syz
— #EuroBasket 2022 (@EuroBasket) September 13, 2022
Leaving the locker room, back to business, and it is after another shot from Andreas Obst’s parking lot that we realize the 12/18 at 3-points of the Germans. It’s dirty, and inside, Daniel Theis also starts to work. Result of the shopping, Greece no longer sees the light of day and tastes a… 20 to 1. A very ugly way to let go of this match, magnificent from start to finish, won by the Germans who knew how to bulge their chests at the right time. How do we “recite the mass a little too early” ? When Giannis Antetokounmpo wears the jersey of the trailing team, it is impossible to give it away before the final buzzer sounds. At the end of the third quarter, the Greek Freak placed 8 units on individual sequences and allowed themselves the hope of a comeback (Germany 83 – 71 Greece).
Return, which he will never validate. The Germans take the time to properly unfold their offensive sequences, play with the interiors and recite the systems. We would have liked a little karma for Dennis Schroder, who began his chambering and his dance steps early in front of a double MVP, but the end result proved him right. Five minutes from time, Giannis Antetokounmpo is ruled out for an unsportsmanlike foul. One nudge, as dangerous as it is unfortunate, and the Greek Freak’s contest is over. Behind ? Boarf, his teammates are taking on water. No Greek player is able to hold the helm in the absence of the captain. The Germans have the smile: Dennis Schroder, Andreas Obst and Franz Wagner were HUGE.
POV t’es Giannis pic.twitter.com/DgUKEAbOxh
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) September 13, 2022
The final NBA player stats:
- Dennis Schroder : 26 points at 8/15 shooting, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 lost balls.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo : 31 points at 13/22 in shooting, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 lost balls and 3 interceptions.
- Franz Wagner : 19 points at 7/12 shooting, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls and 4 lost balls.
- Daniel Theis : 13 points at 50% shooting, and 16 rebounds.
Well, it ended a bit on the water with two or three invectives between players, coaches and referees, but Germany’s match is by far one of the most successful of this EuroBasket 2022. We would have liked to extend these congratulations to Greece, but the second period did not live up to the expectations placed on this team. The title of our preview before the competition? « Lhe Greece of Giannis Antetokounmpo has the means to bring Europe to its knees”.
