Germany secured the top spot in Group K heading into the quarterfinals after overcoming a horrendous opening quarter and securing a scintillating 100-71 win over Slovenia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Okinawa, Japan.
The German team finished the second round with an undefeated 5-0 record, earning top seeding in Group K. This victory marks the first time that Germany has reached the quarterfinal round since finishing 8th overall in the FIBA World Cup 2006.
The Dennis Schroder-led squad erased a 14-point deficit in the first quarter and took control in the third quarter after a 13-0 run, capped by an Isaac Bonga lay-up, giving them a commanding 61-42 lead.
Die Mannschaft was spearheaded by Schroder’s double-double with 24 points, courtesy of an efficient 8-of-11 shooting on the field, including four three-pointers, and 10 assists.
Germany head coach Gordon Herbert lauded his players for their comeback from a double-digit deficit, which all started with their solid defense on Slovenian star Luka Doncic.
“I think Niels (Giffey) and Isaac Bonga did a great job on Luka Doncic. They really wore him down,” he said of the German defenders who limited Doncic to a 9-of-22 shooting and forced him to turn the ball over three times.
“I thought we came together beginning in the second quarter. Our second group really got it going, made some defensive plays, and gained momentum. Then our starters came back and really took over there, especially at the beginning of the third quarter.”
Doncic led the way for Slovenia with 23 points, six boards, six assists, and one steal, but Klemen Prepelic was the only other Slovenian who scored in double figures with 12 points.
Slovenia, who suffered their only loss in the tournament so far, will head to the quarterfinals as the second seed in Group K, owing to a 4-1 record.
The Scores:
Germany (100) – Schroder 24, Theis 14, Bonga 12, Giffey 10, Wagner 10, Obst 8, Thiemann 7, Lo 6, Voigtmann 4, Hollatz 3, Kramer 2,
Slovenia (71) – Doncic 24, Prepelic K. 12, Dimec 9, Nikolic 7, Dragic 5, Hrovat 4, Tobey 4, Prepelic B. 4, Cebasek 3, Samar 0, Glas 0.
Quarterscores: 11-25, 38-34, 68-52, 100-71
