By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Battling for the top seed of Group K of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Germany overcame a poor start in dominating fashion and knocked down Slovenia, 100-71, in Okinawa Arena Sunday.
Replying to the early run of Slovenia and Luka Doncic, Dennis Schroder paved the way with a 24-point, 10-assist double-double. Daniel Theis and Isaac Bonga added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Moritz Wagner and Niels Giffey threw in ten points apiece.
Down 25-11 after ten minutes, Die Mannschaft not only recovered but went into a safe distance of 21 points in the third quarter and peaking at 32 points in the fourth quarter. The impressive comeback went unbothered in the fourth period and extended the undefeated streak in the World Cup to 5-0.
The team coached by Aleksander Sekulic was also unscratched in Okinawa City but settled for a 4-1 tally to illustrate the stay in Japan. Doncic ended up with 23 points attached to 9/22 field goals.
“Hopefully, we got our stinker out of the way,” wished Mike Tobey after being held to four points and three rebounds over 23 minutes, “Going forward, we can bounce back, use this as motivation, not let this happen again.”
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The fixture marked the last in Japan as the knockout stage of the World Cup will be played in the Philippines from Tuesday to Sunday. Both national teams located in Europe will continue in the Quarterfinals, matching up with Canada, Latvia, or Spain, on Wednesday in Mall of Asia Arena.
Recovering from an injury in his left ankle since the opening win against Japan, Franz Wagner remains day-to-day. Therefore, the Orlando Magic forward is questionable to be cleared to play in the next game.
“We will have to see what his situation is on Tuesday,” head coach Gordon Herbert updated the status of Wagner, “He has worked out. He looks pretty good. But you never know coming back from an injury.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL