Germany bags first-ever World Cup crown

Wagner brothers guide Germans to first-ever Basketball World Cup title by beating Serbia 83-77 in Manila


REUTERS September 10, 2023

MANILA:

Germany won their first-ever FIBA Basketball World Cup title by beating undermanned Serbia 83-77 in a slugfest of the two European powerhouses on Sunday in Manila.

Germany leaned on a 22-10 surge in the third quarter, orchestrated by brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, to build a cushion and never let go of the lead to win the World Cup's first all-European final since 2006.

The tournament most valuable player Dennis Schroder carried Germany with a game-high 28 points, way above his average of 17.9 points per game, and added two rebounds and two assists. Germany became the first team to win a FIBA World Cup crown in their final debut since Spain in 2006. Serbia absorbed another heartbreak after losing to the United States 129-92 in the 2014 final in Madrid, Spain, through they finished better than their quarter-final exit in 2019.

The two teams, who boast strong teamwork and chemistry, traded baskets in the first half, entered the break at 47 apiece.

But Germany built up a 12-point lead late on in the third quarter and never looked back. Marko Guduric converted two free throws, cutting Germany's lead to two, 79-77, with 39.5 ticks to go in the final frame. A  costly turnover and missed three-pointers prevented Serbia's comeback.

Serbia's starting guard Ognjen Dobric had to be carried off the floor with an ankle injury with 7:40 to go in the first quarter. Serbia also played without power forward Borisa Simanic who underwent surgery in Manila to remove a kidney after taking a blow to his midsection against South Sudan in a preliminary game.

Earlier, Canada bagged their first World Cup podium finish at the expense of short-handed United States 127-118 in overtime in a riveting, record-setting bronze-medal game.

Brooks earned MVP chants from the crowd with his all-time performance, a far cry from the loud boos in Canada's previous games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada's leading scorer, rebounder and passer, finished with 31 points, six rebounds and 12 assists. "It was fun trying to take what the defence gives me," he told reporters.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ