Basketball World Cup
First Zoff, then shine: DBB undefeated after Manila
The German team led by Dennis Schröder also prevailed against Slovenia. photo
© Hiro Komae/AP/dpa
The German basketball players cannot be beaten by Luka Doncic either. In the last game of the intermediate round of the World Cup, however, things only really go smoothly after an internal dispute.
The German basketball players have maintained their perfect World Cup record and in a duel with Luka Doncic also defied a violent internal crash with great class.
Dennis Schröder and Co. clearly defeated Slovenia 100:71 (38:34) after a two-digit deficit in the meantime and thus got their fifth win in five games in Okinawa, Japan. National coach Gordon Herbert’s team travels to the finals in Manila in top form and as one of the gold contenders. The first German World Cup quarter-finals since 2006 is on Wednesday, possible opponents are Latvia or Spain.
Schröder and Herbert clashed violently during a break in the early stages. “Sit down,” yelled the 64-year-old coach to his leader when his buddy criticized Daniel Theis in clear words instead of listening to Herbert. But Schröder stopped after the announcement and countered the words of the national coach: “Don’t talk to me like that.”
Superstar Doncic receives little support
The Toronto Raptors playmaker then stayed on the bench for a few minutes – and then came back with an outstanding performance. Schröder contributed 24 points and 10 assists to the win, and his back problems from the Georgia game were no longer a big issue in the Okinawa Arena. Theis (14) also played well in front of 6634 spectators. Although Doncic had 23 points, he received little support from his teammates.
“The medical department did an incredibly good job with Dennis,” Herbert had said before the game started on “Magentasport” about Schröder’s quick comeback. Franz Wagner did not succeed. For the Orlando Magic winger, it was the fourth World Cup game in a row that he missed. A return is not a matter of course until the first knockout game in Manila. “Franz is really close. It’s hard to say. I hope it’s enough for Wednesday,” said Herbert.
Against Slovenia and Doncic it had to work without him and with the again strong substitute Isaac Bonga. The 2017 European champion repeatedly sent NBA star Doncic into the zone in the early stages. Germany initially found no antidote against their mighty rivals and quickly fell behind.
Herbert and Schröder clashed violently
Then came the memorable break, during which Schröder first railed against Theis and then Herbert and Schröder clashed. Despite the precarious score, the head coach switched on youngster Justus Hollatz for Schröder and thus set an example. When Schröder came back after a break of around seven and a half minutes, the differences were cleared up. Schröder and Theis reconciled in the gang, Herbert also trusted his well-established permanent staff after the little reminder. As a result, the lead grew bigger and bigger.
After victories over hosts Japan, co-favourites Australia, Finland, Georgia and now Slovenia, Germany are one of just two teams going unbeaten into the finals. The first World Cup medal since 2002 with Dirk Nowitzki seems within reach. On Monday, head coach Herbert’s protégés will travel from the Japanese island to Manila by charter flight.