Athletes carry on following a challenging match on the court
Germany's basketball team has secured a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship, following an impressive 85-58 victory over Portugal. The win comes after a challenging game that caused some stress in the final quarter, but the team's superior quality ultimately proved decisive.
Coach Alan Ibrahimagic, who took over during the group stage when head coach Alex Mumbru was absent due to an abdominal illness, expressed his hope that the team would start better in the quarterfinals. Mumbru himself returned to the sidelines for the game against Portugal in Riga, marking his first appearance during the European Championship.
Germany started the game strong, leading by as much as 17 points in the first half. However, they struggled to find their rhythm from three-point range in the new environment, with only one of 18 three-point attempts finding the net in the first half. The game against Portugal was a tight affair, with Maodo Lo, a German basketball player who has played for clubs like Zalgiris Kaunas and Paris Basketball, sinking the second German three-pointer towards the end of the third quarter. Despite Lo's effort, Germany still led by only a single point going into the final quarter (52:51).
The last ten minutes of the game remained a tough battle, but Germany managed to pull away, thanks in part to the leadership of captain Dennis Schröder, who rallied the team on the court and delivered a post-game message. Schröder and Franz Wagner each scored 16 points, leading the German scorers against Portugal.
Germany will face either Italy or Slovenia, featuring NBA superstar Luka Doncic, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. To reach the semifinals, Germany will need to improve their performance and return to their earlier form from the group stage, where they impressed with their consistent play. Coach Ibrahimagic acknowledged the team's tension at halftime, stating that they missed many good shots and needed a bit more relaxation.
As the team prepares for their quarterfinal match, they will look to build on their victory over Portugal and continue their journey in the European Championship.
