Germany also won the second game of the World Cup qualification against Israel, with 84:80 in Heidelberg. The DBB protégés thus take over first place in the standings on the way to the tournament with the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia.
With reinforcements from the Euroleague, the German basketball players have mastered the next step on the way to the 2023 World Cup with a lot of effort. Three days after the victory in Israel (71:67), the team of national coach Gordon Herbert also won the return game in Heidelberg after a race to catch up and is close to entering the second group phase after the 84:80 (39:34). Two games are still to come, in Estonia (30 June) and against Poland (3 July).
“We had problems finding our rhythm. Especially in defence,” Herbert said afterwards on Magenta Sport: “We switched badly and took bad throws. Luckily we turned it around in the last quarter.” Because Estonia had previously lost to last-place Poland in Group D (68:78), the German Basketball Federation team did not get the match point it had hoped for to advance. On the way to the 2023 World Cup (Japan, Indonesia, Philippines), only the last team in the table will be eliminated, with Germany (7 points) leading ahead of Israel, Estonia (both 6) and Poland (5).
“Israel has a very, very good team. We had our problems, but we knew that collectively we would get our chances,” said captain Robin Benzing: “We fought back, I think it was a deserved win.” Herbert was able to rely on reinforcements from the Euroleague in the fourth group game. Maodo Lo, who was promptly the German team’s best thrower with 18 points, and Johannes Thiemann from champions Alba Berlin as well as Andreas Obst (Bayern Munich) were available unlike in Israel.
Germany comes back shortly before the end
After an even opening quarter, Germany took the lead and at times pulled away to five points. However, their accuracy from distance was a particular cause for concern – and after the break, the German team allowed itself a weak phase. Israel took advantage of this ice-cold: The guests came close and then pulled away to 15 points (50:65). The German team started to catch up in the final period, cheered on by their vociferous fans in Heidenheim. Obst scored five points in a row, Germany took the lead with 76:75 and had the better end for themselves in the fiercely contested final phase.
The tournament continues on 30 June in Estonia and on 3 July against Poland, when the German NBA pros around Dennis Schröder could be available for the first time in the current World Cup qualifiers. And even then, with a view to the World Cup ticket, more victories are needed, because: All points will be taken home. After the first phase, the three top nations will form a new group together with three teams from the C-section, including a duel with European champions Slovenia. Since the second qualifying phase will again require at least third place for a place in the World Cup, there is still a long way to go.
Germany – Israel 84:80 (39:34)
Best scorers for Germany: Lo (18), Sengfelder (14), Thiemann (10)
Best scorers for Israel: Ginat (18), Cohen (12), Blatt (12), Dawson (10)
