By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Germany was defeated in Saitama, Japan, by the home team which prevailed 86-83 after finishing the game with a 9-0 run.
To be exact, the Germans entered the last two minutes leading 81-77, but couldn’t react against the hosts and Rui Hachimura who finished the game with 31 points. Yuta Watanabe added 20 for the winning side.
Germany made just 10 out of 39 threes in total, and Dennis Schroder had 16 points but also 6/21 FG.
It was the first prep defeat of the Germans after five wins on their way to the FIBA World Cup and of course a big morale boost for Japan which played in front of 18.000 home fans.
“It was a great atmosphere here, a full house, and we needed such a game, so close at the end,” said German coach Henrik Rold after the game. “You never want to lose, but now in preparation, so that’s ok. You can see clearly where things are good and where they can get better. We will get stronger, and I look forward to the next games”.