Survive and Advance
World Champion Germany Stumbles, then Soars, at EuroBasket 2025
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germany, the reigning FIBA World Cup champions, faced a stunning challenge from Portugal in the EuroBasket 2025 knockout stage, ultimately pulling away for an 85-58 victory. But the score doesn’t tell the whole story. For three quarters, the heavily favored Germans looked anything but dominant, a stark reminder that in tournament basketball, survival is the name of the game.
Portugal’s coach, Mário Gomes, couldn’t resist a jab despite the loss:
What can I say that a game should only take 30 minutes? The tank was empty Germany is just Germany. They are not world champion.
Gomes’s frustration was understandable. His squad, ranked a lowly 56th in the world, had given the Germans all they could handle for the majority of the contest.
The final score, a seemingly agreeable blowout, belies the tense atmosphere inside Riga’s Xiaomi Arēna. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Germany, spurred on by coach Alan Ibrahimagic and his staff, finally asserted their superiority.
“not concentrated Enough”
This was the first true test for a German team that had cruised through the preliminary rounds, leading the tournament in offensive rating, pace, and shooting efficiency. But against Portugal, the offense sputtered. Germany’s paltry 17 and 14-point outputs in the first two quarters allowed the underdog Portuguese to not only hang around but to take the lead on multiple occasions, including a 32-31 advantage at halftime.
Veteran Johannes Thiemann didn’t mince words about the team’s sluggish start:
Sometimes it is difficult to go and know in such a knockout phase, you actually have to win that clearly, that is the claim of everyone. And then with such a first quarter, which bubbles in front of it, that makes it all the more difficult. That is exactly what the opponent wanted to simply not play our game.The 31 points we had at halftime, we usually do that in a quarter. We were simply not concentrated enough.
A First Half to Forget
Portugal’s strategy was clear: slow the game down and limit Germany’s transition opportunities. As Portugal’s Travante Williams explained:
Our tactic was to keep it out of the transition at all costs. We knew that they were dangerous when they were running, so we wanted to see whether they could throw in three. They have many players who meet solidly, but only one specialist, Andreas Obst. It also worked for a long time before the sky collapsed over us.
For the first 20 minutes, very little went right for the world champions. They struggled to find open looks, committed turnovers, and allowed Portugal to dictate the tempo. It was reminiscent of a college team like, say, the Richmond Spiders, facing a powerhouse program in the NCAA tournament. Sometimes, grit and determination can level the playing field, at least for a while [[2]].
The question now is whether this wake-up call will benefit Germany in the long run. Can they learn from their mistakes and avoid similar slow starts against tougher competition? Or will this “ugly victory” be a sign of deeper problems for the reigning world champions? Only time will tell.
Germany Overcomes Shooting Woes to Advance in EuroBasket 2025 Quarterfinals
Germany secured a spot in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals, but not without a serious scare. After a sluggish first half plagued by ice-cold shooting,the team rallied to defeat a resolute Portugal squad.The victory, while hard-fought, underscores Germany’s resilience and depth as they prepare for a showdown against a top-tier opponent.
NBA Stars Lead the Charge
Orlando Magic forward franz Wagner, a key player for Germany, acknowledged the team’s initial struggles. Portugal played very well, played very physically, reorganized well, and took it out of our fast game. But we didn’t hit well either. We had to change our attitude above all before it got much better in the second half,
Wagner stated. He and Dennis schröder, the team’s leading scorer, combined to keep Germany within striking distance during the first half, with wagner contributing 10 of his 16 points before the break.
Three-point Drought Nearly Sinks Germany
Germany’s shooting woes reached historic proportions, as they equaled a 30-year negative record for missed three-point attempts in a EuroBasket game, bricking a staggering 26 shots from beyond the arc. Imagine Steph Curry suddenly forgetting how to shoot – that’s the kind of cold streak Germany endured. The drought included a brutal stretch of 22 consecutive misses before Maodo Lo finally broke the spell in the third quarter. This long-awaited basket ignited an offensive explosion that Portugal couldn’t match.
an opposing coach, Williams, marveled at Germany’s ability to overcome adversity:
Your talent level is simply amazing. Players who come from the bank and hit important throws. Franz Wagner is strong like an ox, Schröder is faster than the devil, the whole team just plays the way you should. A real team. You are not allowed to relax for a second, they can achieve hot runs and scores on the assembly line at any time. And if you lose the ball against them, everything is over anyway.
Adjustments and Energy Fuel Comeback
The turning point came during halftime, where the coaching staff emphasized a more relaxed approach. During the break it was about that we have to be looser,
explained Ibrahimagic. The guys also knew that they themselves were not allowed to think too much about the odds,as we are normally just a lot better than what we showed. And the throws were fine. So it was only a question of staying together, solving the tasks in the defense, and the offense will come after one or two good actions. This team has been able to deal with every situation for so long.
The message clearly resonated, as Germany outscored Portugal 41-15 in the final minutes, including a dominant 33-7 run in the fourth quarter.
Captain Schröder highlighted the team’s depth: I wish we had come out with a little more aggressiveness. But we showed that we have a very deep team.
Daniel Theis echoed this sentiment, praising the contributions of the bench: We saw what makes us such a good team. Our bank came in, especially Maodo gave us a boost, Tristan too. Bonga can defend everything from the 1 to 5, he is everywhere, falsifies balls, gets rebounds, that helps us enormously.
Looking Ahead: A Test of Championship Caliber
Isaac bonga, who contributed 15 points, seven rebounds, and four steals, put the performance into perspective: something like this can happen. It is indeed difficult to show a perfect game in ten times in ten attempts. It is indeed completely normal that you have a half as we do today. The good thing is that we reacted so determined in the second half and decided the game.
This victory serves as a valuable lesson for Germany, demonstrating their ability to win even when their shots aren’t falling. As they advance to the quarterfinals, they’ll need to bring their A-game consistently.
Thiemann emphasized the importance of defense: We just thrown everything in in the second half, especially defensive. Then you can already see that we can beat teams when there is no cream day at the front.
Germany now awaits the winner of the Italy versus Slovenia game,a potential matchup against Luka Dončić,in the quarterfinals next wednesday [[1]]. This game will be a true test of their championship aspirations.
Key Match Statistics: Germany vs.Portugal
To better illustrate teh ebb and flow of this captivating EuroBasket 2025 matchup, here’s a breakdown of key statistics:
| Statistic | Germany | Portugal | Comparison/Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 85 | 58 | Germany’s late surge resulted in a cozy margin despite early struggles. |
| 3-Point percentage | 15.4% (4/26) | 28.6% (6/21) | Germany’s historically poor shooting performance nearly cost them the game. |
| Field Goal Percentage | 45.9% | 38.3% | Germany’s overall field goal percentage improved significantly in the second half. |
| Turnovers | 9 | 13 | Germany’s ability to limit turnovers was crucial during Portugal’s attempts to establish superiority. |
| Points in the Paint | 40 | 28 | Germany’s dominance inside helped offset their outside shooting woes. |
| Bench Points | 28 | 20 | Germany’s bench provided a critical spark, showcasing their depth. |
FAQ: EuroBasket 2025 – Germany’s Performance
Here are some frequently asked questions about Germany’s EuroBasket 2025 performance:
What was the biggest challenge Germany faced in their game against Portugal?
The biggest challenge for Germany was their abysmal three-point shooting, combined with Portugal’s defensive strategy to slow down their transition offense. They missed 26 three-point attempts, tying a negative record.
Who were the key players for Germany in the game against Portugal?
Franz Wagner and Dennis Schröder led the charge offensively, while the bench, notably Maodo Lo, played a crucial role, contributing much-needed energy and points to aid the comeback.
what adjustments did Germany make in the second half to secure the victory?
The coaching staff emphasized a more relaxed approach, encouraging the team to focus on their defense. They also utilized their deep bench and encouraged players to take higher-percentage shots.
What are Germany’s chances in the EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals?
Germany will face a challenging opponent in the quarterfinals, irrespective of their opponent. This victory demonstrates their resilience, but they will need to improve their consistency and outside shooting to advance further in the tournament. Their next game is against the winner of the Italy versus Slovenia game, a potential matchup against Luka Dončić.
Where can I find the EuroBasket 2025 schedule and results?
You can find the latest game results, standings, and the upcoming schedule for EuroBasket 2025 on NBA.com [[1]]. you can also check the FIBA website for the full event fixture [[1]].
