With an outstanding performance, Dennis Schröder led the German national basketball team to an 85-82 victory over Australia. After the game, the captain put himself completely at the service of the team.
Shortly after the final siren in the second group game between Australia and Germany, Dennis Schröder received praise from all sides and in all positions. “What Dennis brings to the national team and in general as a player is an unbelievable level,” said Maodo Lo on “MagentaSport”, for example, although the 30-year-old himself was the focus of attention because of his performance. National coach Gordon Herbert said Schröder played well at both ends of the field: “We had problems with Patty Mills, then Dennis took over and did a good job. It’s hard to protect the opponent’s top man and be the top scorer yourself. “
Of all things, however, it was the direct duel with Mills that had troubled Schröder at the start. The 35-year-old guard, who was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year, scored his team’s first 13 points. “That got me down. I wanted to control him from the beginning. Those are mistakes, they shouldn’t happen,” Schröder was self-critical. “But I always want to play against the best and in the international arena he is like Steph Curry.”
Schröder himself, however, was in no way inferior to Mills’ performance, already having 18 points and five assists to his name at the break. In the end, he recorded the top figures of 30 points, eight assists and five steals. Especially after the weak third quarter of the Germans, Schröder found the right answer. “We lost the momentum in the third quarter. But the first minutes in the fourth quarter were the key for us,” Herbert said about the 10-0 run of the Germans at the beginning of the final period.
Getting the win “as a team “
Jenen run Schröder himself had initiated spectacularly with a three-pointer. Nevertheless, the 29-year-old put himself completely at the service of the team. The victory was achieved “as a team”. “We knew that we had enough despite the absence of Franz Wagner. Because our team is always together, we play the right way and give everything on the field,” Schröder said. “That’s what sets us apart.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s final group game against Finland and certain qualification for the intermediate round, Schröder added: “If Franz is back, then of course that’s much, much better.”
Herbert was also at pains to curb the euphoria somewhat despite the victory. “It was only two wins. We still have one game in two days,” the national coach said. “We have to keep our feet on the ground, enjoy the evening a bit. But starting tomorrow, we have to be ready for Tuesday. “
