Athletes persist in their endeavors following a challenging match
Germany's journey in the European Basketball Championship took an unexpected turn as they faced their weakest performance in the tournament during their quarterfinal match against Portugal. Despite the struggles, the World Champions managed to secure a victory with a score of 85:58.
Coach Alex Mumbru returned to the sidelines for the first time during the championship after missing the group stage due to illness. He had been hospitalized with an "acute abdomen" the previous Monday. Mumbru seemed recovered, having lost some weight in recent days, and took charge of the team once again, sharing coaching responsibilities with assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic.
Germany started sluggishly and unconcernedly, falling behind 2:7 at the beginning of the game. The team appeared tense even after a lineup change, and Portugal made the game very difficult for the World Champions. Germany struggled to find a rhythm from three-point range, making only one of 18 three-point attempts in the first half.
However, the team's superior quality prevailed in the final quarter, securing their win. Captain Dennis Schröder delivered a message to the team following their victory, encouraging them for the challenges ahead.
In the quarterfinals, Germany will face either Italy or Slovenia, which features NBA superstar Luka Doncic. The last ten minutes of the game remained a tough battle, but Germany's resilience shone through as they overcame their early struggles to advance in the tournament.
Top scorers for Germany were Schröder and Franz Wagner with 16 points each. Maodo Lo sank the second German three-pointer late in the third quarter, but Germany led by only a single point heading into the final quarter. Coach Ibrahimagic acknowledged the team's mistakes, admitting to missing many good shots and the team being nervous and tense at halftime.
As the tournament progresses, Germany will look to regain their form and continue their quest for the championship title. Their next opponent will undoubtedly provide a formidable challenge, but the team's determination and resilience suggest they are ready for whatever comes next.
