AWhen the Greek giant was finished, the German basketball players clenched their fists. They looked a little disbelieving shortly after their heroic victory against Greece, then they let the spectators in the Berlin Arena celebrate them. Moments earlier, they had knocked out the big favorites from the European Championship. Now the selection of the German Basketball Federation (DBB) itself is a candidate for the final. “In the last few minutes on the bench, I was a fan myself,” admitted Johannes Voigtmann late in the evening.
“It was a special evening. An evening that German basketball has never seen before,” said the strong Andreas Obst. “You still can’t believe it because the game rushed past you so much.” But despite all the joy about the brilliant performance, the German players in the mixed zone quickly seemed calm and focused again.
After his strong performance against Greece, Dennis Schröder played on the field with his children – and was celebrated
Those: dpa / Soeren Stache
“I am very proud of what we delivered today. What my team did, everyone who was on the field and also those who didn’t play. The determination in the second half was sensational,” praised a satisfied but not exuberant Dennis Schröder after the 107:96 (57:61) in the mixed zone.
“Germany deserved to win. They threw extremely well, we gave them the confidence to do so. The third quarter hurt us extremely,” analyzed Dimitrios Itoudis, Greece coach, at the subsequent press conference. “There are hard moments in life, but you have to get up when you fall. It was a great atmosphere in the hall.” One of many observations in an incredible basketball game.
duel in the ranks
At the beginning of the evening it looked like an away game for Germany. The Greek fans warmed up half an hour before the jump ball. Countless blue and white striped flags could be seen in the stands. When the German team entered the hall to warm up, a shrill concert of whistles rang out in the Berlin Arena, which was sold out for the first time at this tournament. But after the enthusiastic start, the German fan block also boiled. “Thank you Berlin, that was outstanding today,” praised Maodo Lo in front of the reporters after the game.
A German dream start
Speaking of an exciting start. What the German team delivered in the first minutes of the game left many in the arena speechless. No matter from which position, Germany scored: ten of the first thirteen shots fell through the ring for the team of national coach Gordon Herbert, eight of them three-pointers. The rain of three at the start provided the necessary emotions. “We came out and played with the right intensity right away,” Schröder summarized the dream start. Towards the end of the quarter, the red-hot Germans cooled off a bit, but led by 31:27.
The tired Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek superstar proved against Germany, especially in the first half, why he is one of the best players on the planet. In the first quarter alone he collected 13 points, was unstoppable on his way to the basket and picked balls from heights that the Germans apparently could not jump.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (right) scored 31 points, but failed in the end because of the strong German team
What: Getty Images/Maja Hitij
In the second half, the NBA player from the Milwaukee Bucks visibly lost – also because of the strong German defense. Antetokounmpo looked tired and missed shot after shot, some not even touching the ring. Although the “Greek Freak” reared up again in the meantime, his one-man show with 31 points is not enough against the German collective. Five minutes before the end, Greece’s leader conceded the second unsportsmanlike foul and was thrown out of the hall.
throw of the game
3.8 seconds were still on the clock before the break, Greece were allowed to throw in from the sideline after a step mistake by Dennis Schröder, the ball came to Kostas Sloukas. The veteran dribbled a few times, threw over Lo and Schröder from the center line and onto the basket – and scored. 61:57 for Greece. Even if the Greek team celebrated exuberantly in front of the German bench: Anyone who thought Slouka’s magic throw was a hit for Germany was wrong.
Strong defense in the third quarter
Of course, with 107 points it was an extremely strong offensive performance by the German team. But the Herbert-Five laid the foundation for victory in the third quarter. Germany kept the Greeks away from the basket and forced them to take shots that didn’t want to fall. Theis collected the rebounds in particular (16). With the confidence to hold off the favorites on defence, Germany scored consistently up front to lead 83-71 after 30 minutes. Germany allowed the title favorites ten points in this section and won the rebound duel 20:5.
The decision
For a long time nobody in the arena wanted to celebrate too early, but when Schröder scored a three-pointer to make it 103:82 3:48 minutes before the end, the German captain opened the party. First he stood still for a moment and then shook his head in disbelief with a broad grin on his face. The decision in an incredible game. Schröder’s suspension after two technical fouls doesn’t change that.
The key players
Germany defeated the favored Greeks around their hero Antetoukounmpo thanks to excellent team performances at both ends of the field. But Schröder (26 points), Obst and Wagner (both 19) stood out a little, at least offensively. While Schröder finally hit his throws with a high percentage (53 percent), Obst lit the crowd in the first quarter with his three-pointers and emotional gestures.
The German snipers: Franz Wagner (left) and Andreas Obst sank three after three in the Greek basket
Source: AP/Michael Sohn
And Wagner? There was no sign of his ankle injury at the 21-year-old. The Berlin boy hit five of his seven threes, one over Antetokounmpo and proved once again how important he is for Germany’s success at the European Championship. “I received a lot of treatment, I didn’t feel any pain in the game. It was great to be able to experience this game here in Berlin,” said Wagner after the game.
The medal dream
Literally kicked the title favorite out of the tournament; only very few had expected this in advance. The Herbert team is now one of the closest favorites and has two chances of achieving the medal goal they set themselves. Spain awaits in the semifinals on Friday evening (8:30 p.m., Magentasport). The Iberians eliminated Finland early Tuesday evening. “The Spaniards play better in the final round than in the preliminary round. They’re a very good team,” Lo warned against being careless. But he and his teammates don’t have to hide from anyone anymore. In the final there could be revenge against Slovenia around Luka Doncic.
