surprise | EM party in Cologne: DBB team duped favorite France
Theis’ previous assignment
Exactly three years to the day after the start against France at the disappointing 2019 World Cup in China, where it had lost, Herbert surprised. Daniel Theis, who was only given the last place in the squad on Wednesday due to knee problems, initially sat on the bench – but not for long. After an unsportsmanlike foul by Jonas Wolfarth-Bottermann and only 1:02 minutes played, the Indiana Pacers center had to run immediately.
But four days after the surprising victory in the World Cup qualifier against the European Championship group opponents Slovenia, the nervousness of the Germans was noticeable. The first five throws from the field against next to it, but the hosts work their way into the game through the strong defense. While the French offense didn’t get going, Germany scored steadily. Schröder shines with fast drives and the naturalized US American Nick-Weiler Babb provides the half-time lead with a three-pointer.
Schröder dances Gobert out
“We defended very well and took a lot of things away from them,” said Big Man Johannes Thiemann at half-time at MagentaSport. After the break, France, who had much better traffic from outside at this stage, came back with an 8-0 run – but then Germany really turned up the heat. Maodo Lo took command: The Berliner surprisingly hit the step-back three-pointer and lay-up. When Schröder danced in the final quarter, NBA star Rudy Gobert finished and completed 71:57, the audience was finally able to celebrate.
After a rest day, the German team has two games on the program this weekend. On Saturday against Bosnia and Herzegovina and on Sunday against the strong Lithuania (both from 2.30 p.m. in the t-online live ticker) at least one win is needed.