By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Like it happened against Lithuania, Lauri Markkanen couldn’t save the day, and Germany got the easy 91-61 win over Finland in the last game of Group A, in Tampere.
Franz Wagner was phenomenal with 23 points, seven rebounds, and three assists; still, once more, the Germans prevailed as a well-oiled machine, starting from their defense.
As assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic, with head coach Alex Mumbru still recovering, said: “We are happy, we are getting better. Defense was exceptional, I would say, and this is one part of the game which will be crucial in the next phase”.
The group hosts couldn’t keep up. Markkanen finished the game with 11 points on 4/15 FG plus 10 rebounds, and Olivier Nkamhoua, also with a double-double (16 p. 10 r.), had his best game so far in the tournament.
Despite a competitive first period with Germany leading 21-19, the halftime score was 50-36 as Markkanen had just eight points. Germany didn’t slow down and had a 20-point lead (69-49) at the end of the third period with Wagner scoring 19 points after 14 minutes on the court.
There was no coming back after that, as the last period opened with a 6-0 run by Germany (75-49). The biggest lead was 34 points (89-55), and Finland will be facing either Serbia or Turkey in the Round of 16.
Also, after this result, the Baltic derby in the round of 16 between Lithuania and Latvia was confirmed.
Photo credit: FIBA