Athletes persist following a tough match
Germany Overcomes Tough Battle Against Portugal in EuroBasket 2025
In a hard-fought match, Germany secured a win against Portugal with a final score of 85:58. The victory, however, was not without its challenges, as Germany struggled in the new environment and found it difficult to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, making only one of 18 three-point attempts in the first half.
The game started sloppily for Germany, falling behind 2:7 early on. Despite this, Germany's significantly higher quality prevailed in the final quarter, securing a decisive win.
Captain Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner were the top scorers for Germany, each contributing 16 points. Schröder, speaking after the game, expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, stating that it was their weakest performance of the tournament.
Coach Alan Ibrahimagic and national coach Alex Mumbru shared coaching responsibilities during the game. Mumbru, who had been hospitalized in Tampere due to an "acute abdomen", a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment, returned to the sidelines for the first time during the European Championship after missing the group stage due to a stomach illness. Mumbru sat more often than usual but also stood at the sidelines to give instructions.
Mumbru had taken back more control of the team since the move to Riga and led the training on Friday. His presence seemed to have a positive impact, as Portugal was behind at halftime (31:32) for the first time in the tournament.
The last ten minutes of the game remained a tough battle, with Portugal making life difficult for Germany. However, Germany managed to hold a one-point lead (52:51) going into the final period. Maodo Lo sank the second German three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, which proved to be a crucial moment in the game.
Germany's win over Portugal sets them up for a quarterfinal match against Slovenia, which includes NBA star Luka Doncic. The match is scheduled for Wednesday in EuroBasket 2025. Germany will need a significant performance improvement and a return to their previous form from the group stage to secure a place in the semifinals.
Coach Ibrahimagic also commented on the game, acknowledging it was not easy and Portugal made life difficult for them. Despite the challenges, Germany managed to emerge victorious, demonstrating their resilience and determination.
