By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
MANILA, Philippines – It happened in 2002 against Greece, and in 2023 it happened again against Germany.
The USA were the semifinal favorites, but they found a team that played a perfect game against them and made history.
Germany prevailed with the final score being 113-111, as the USA furiously tried to cut the lead in the end, however, time ran out.
Sharp-shooter Andreas Obst with 24 points, Franz Wagner with 22, Daniel Theis with 21, and Dennis Schroder with 17 and nine assists were the leaders of an amazing team effort.
Anthony Edwards with 23 points and Austin Reaves with 21 tried to save the day for the USA but couldn’t. Brandon Ingram wasn’t used in the game due to upper respiratory illness.
An offensive clinic
Once more the USA had a slow start, as Germany got into a 25-15 lead with Andreas Obst having nine early points.
However, thanks to a 14-3 run which was completed with a three by Austin Reaves, the score was tied at 29 with one minute left in the first quarter that concluded with Germany up by two (33-31).
The USA finally got a four-point lead (45-41) at the half of the second quarter, forcing Germany to a timeout. The team of coach Gordon Herbert wasn’t rattled, getting back the lead (52-48) after two layups by Franz Wagner and Johannes Voightmann.
In what ended up being the most productive first half in World Cup history since 2002, the USA ended up having a one-point lead (60-59) with a total of five players from both teams already scoring in double digits.
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Germany didn’t back down and led by eight (76-68) to start the second half after a three by Dennis Schroder. It was a high-tempo game with defense taking a back seat and Germany getting up by nine (89-80) after a three by Andreas Obst.
That was not the end of it. Mo Wagner made one more three to give Germany a 10-point lead (92-82), while the third quarter ended with the same point difference (94-84).
With two free throws, Obst pushed the lead to 12 (96-84) to start the last period, as USA’s defense was non-existant.
A thrilling ending
Without getting stops, the two teams exchanged baskets until finally, the USA made a push and made it a three-point game (106-103) with three minutes left after a three by Anthony Edwards.
With the game on the line, Dennis Schroder made a huge layup (108-103) but Austin Reaves answered back (108-105).
Both teams lost the opportunity to score and Reaves went on the line to make it a one-point game (108-107).
Obst answered back with a three (111-107), Schroder made one more bucket (113-107) and despite Reaves’ heroics, the game was over.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL