Dennis Schröder Leads Germany to Supercup Victory Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

A Hard-Fought Final Victory in Hamburg

Playing in front of 9,583 spectators at the Barclays Arena, the German squad had to withstand a late surge from a physical Croatian side featuring NBA centers Ivica Zubac and Dario Sarić. After building a 50–39 lead by halftime, the DBB selection saw their advantage tested in the closing minutes before ultimately keeping their composure to seal the 96–87 win. Oscar Da Silva led all scorers for Germany with 22 points, while floor general Dennis Schröder orchestrated the offense and chipped in 10 points.

Reflecting on the tournament, Da Silva highlighted the value of the matchups in northern Germany. According to MagentaTV, Da Silva noted, “It was a good hard test. It is important to complete a few high-quality games before going into these qualification games.” He added that the team hopes to carry the momentum forward to an upcoming sold-out crowd in Cologne.

Schröder Leads the Way Amid Roster Absences

Head coach Álex Mumbrú navigated the tournament without several high-profile players. The roster missing Franz and Moritz Wagner, Isaiah Hartenstein, Andreas Obst, Ariel Hukporti, Hannes Steinbach, and Christian Anderson placed added weight on Schröder’s shoulders. The veteran point guard answered the call by using his speed and court vision to stretch the opposing defense, creating open looks for his teammates and stepping up when the game tightened.

The triumph marked Germany’s third victory over Croatia in three meetings this year. While the offensive rhythm clicked—echoing an explosive 115–82 semifinal victory over Czechia—coaching staff recognized that defensive consistency remains a work in progress as the team prepares for competitive fixtures.

Turning Attention to the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers

With the Supercup concluded, the German team pivots immediately to the qualification rounds for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar. Germany hosts the Netherlands this coming Thursday in Cologne before traveling to Gdańsk to face Poland three days later. Schröder outlined the team’s overarching mindset ahead of the qualifiers, stressing the goal of giving 110 percent for 40 minutes, representing the country properly, and continuing a winning habit.