Reigning world champion, Germany has not lost in an official match since… September 16, 2022. It was against Spain, in the semi-final of the Euro, and since this defeat, the players of Gordon Herbert won bronze in that same Euro, then gold in the World Cup. If we add the three victories at the Olympic Games, we get 12 victories in a row!
On Friday night, the Germans humiliated the French for 25 minutes, eventually winning 85-71. At the head of the team was the tandem of Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, each scoring 26 points.
“First of all, it was a very good collective effort” Herbert emphasizes. “Then we had some great individual performances. Obviously, you have Dennis Schroder, and on both ends of the pitch. Franz and Dennis are racing hair. They can create for themselves and others. It’s really great to have two players like that out wide.”
Don't give Wembanyama any space
Speaking of animal metaphors, Herbert has another one to answer a question about the Wagner brothers, whose aggression is one of the team's driving forces. “I'd rather it be that way than the other way around… It's a figure of speech, but I'd rather tame lions than teach cats to roar.” he smiles.
What did he think of the performance of Victor Wembanyama, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds? You have to be physical with him. He is very talented, and you must not give him space because he is an amazing player.” answers the Canadian coach. “In the second half, he caught fire a little bit. He put in a few shots, and we saw that when he has space, he is very, very good.”
Productive changes
In the quarter-finals, Germany will face Greece, Serbia or South Sudan. We will have to wait for the results of Group C to find out. But on the German side, we think we have found our cruising speed.
“We were a little worried after the first two matches” Herbert confesses. “We weren't operating at full capacity, so to speak. So we made some changes. I think today we took a good step in the right direction. Then, in the quarter-finals, anything can happen. It's one game.”
