Dennis Schroder scored 30 points as Germany narrowly edged past Australia, 85-82, to advance to the next round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Sunday at the Okinawa Arena in Japan.
The game remained close between the two powerhouse teams in Group E, with neither side holding a lead of more than double digits.
“I thought first of all, it was a really good basketball game, physical, with two really good teams playing. You know it came down to one possession at the end of the day,” said Germany head coach Gordon Herbert.
It was a close game for both teams, as Josh Giddey tied the score at 81-all for Australia,
The Germans were able to tightly contest a Giddey attempt before Schroder was fouled in the last four seconds of the game, and Maodo Lo took the final layup to complete the upset.
“I thought the beginning, we started the game really well and we ended it really well. The beginning of the fourth quarter was the key point for us. We had lost a little bit of momentum, and the first three to four minutes of the fourth quarter were really good for us,” he added.
Schroder also produced eight assists, four steals, and a block in his 35-minute gameplay against the Boomers.
Maodo Lo also contributed 20 points, while Daniel Theis of the Indiana Pacers got nine points.
Franz Wagner was unable to play against Australia due to an ankle injury he sustained during the opening game against Japan.
Despite the loss, Patty Mills led the scoring for Australia with 21 points, scoring most of his points in the first quarter (13).
Oklahoma City standout Josh Giddey added 17 points, while Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers scored two points.
Germany’s final group stage match will be against Finland on Tuesday, August 29, at 3:30 p.m. at the same arena in Japan. (Jan Marcus Montevirgen).
The Scores:
Germany 85 – Schroder 30, Lo 20, Theis 9, Bonga 9, Voigtmann 7, Wagner M. 4, Thiemann 2, Obst 2, Giffey 2, Holatz 0
Australia 82 – Mills 21, Giddey 17, Exum 9, Cooks 9, Reath 8, Green 6, Ingles 5, Kay 5, Thybulle 2, White 0
Quarterscores: 24-25, 49-44, 62-66, 85-82
