Germany secured their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title with an 83-77 victory over an undermanned Serbia in an intense showdown between two European basketball powerhouses on Sunday in Manila.
During the match, the Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, orchestrated a crucial 22-10 surge in the third quarter, allowing Germany to capitalize on it. This surge allowed them to establish a comfortable lead, which they managed to maintain throughout the game, marking the World Cup’s first all-European final since 2006.
Dennis Schroder, named the tournament’s most valuable player, was instrumental in Germany’s victory, contributing a game-high 28 points, well above his average of 17.9 points per game. He also chipped in with two rebounds and two assists.
Germany achieved this historic feat in Basketball by becoming the first team to win a FIBA World Cup title in their final debut since Spain accomplished this feat in 2006. On the other hand, Serbia endured yet another heartbreak, following their loss to the United States in the 2014 final in Madrid, Spain, although they fared better than their quarter-final exit in 2019.
Teamwork and Chemistry
Throughout the game, both teams, known for their strong teamwork and chemistry, engaged in a close battle in the first half, entering halftime tied at 47 points each. However, Germany managed to build a 12-point lead late in the third quarter and held on to it until the end.
In the first quarter, Ognjen Dobric, Serbia’s starting guard, sustained an ankle injury, and the team had to carry him off the floor with 7:40 remaining in the period. Additionally, Serbia played without power forward Borisa Simanic, who underwent surgery in Manila to remove a kidney following an injury sustained in a preliminary game against South Sudan.
Despite Serbia’s efforts to narrow the gap, with Marko Guduric converting two crucial free throws to cut Germany’s lead to two points (79-77) with just 39.5 seconds left in the final frame, a costly turnover and missed three-pointers thwarted Serbia’s comeback aspirations.
