By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
Riga, Latvia – Germany didn’t have an easy time in the Round of 16 matchup against Portugal, especially in the first half. Eventually, the reigning World Champions made it with a bouncing third quarter.
In the post-game mixed zone, Daniel Theis reflected on such a difficult challenge. “Obviously, you can improve in every game. I saw the first game with Sweden; they gave a great fight to Turkey, like Portugal gave a great fight to us. It’s the knockout stage. There are no easy games anymore,” he said.
Shane Larkin said that Sweden gave Turkiye a good wake-up call earlier in the day. Daniel Theis believes the same for Germany after such a rough victory against Neemias Queta and teammates.
“We wanted to win, and that’s what we did at the end. Portugal played very well on defense. Deep in the paint, they made us shoot threes. We couldn’t make shots, especially in the first half,” AS Monaco’s center said after his team missed 22 consecutive three-pointers.
“What makes us a good team happened later: our bench came in, especially Maodo [Lo] gave us a burst, Tristan [Da Silva] helped us too,” he added before moving to Isaac Bonga. “He can guard 1 to 5, and he’s everywhere on deflections and rebounds, which helps us a lot, especially playing fast on offense,” he said.
Neemias Queta gave him a good battle, but Theis got the win. “He had a great game. I think we gave him some easy dunks; obviously, that’s his game, but he played well and tough for sure,” Theis commented.
This was also Alex Mumbru’s first game back on the sideline after missing the whole Group Phase due to an infection. “We needed him, especially in the knockout. Alan [Ibrahimagic] did a great job as well, so I think it’s the whole coaching staff is working hand in hand,” Theis said.
“We’re undefeated. We won every game. We have been together for many years, and he has put his ideas in. He gave us his system and explained how we want to play. We have adopted it very well.”
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA