Basketball players making efforts upon MumbrΓΉ's comeback - Struggling basketball players persist in their challenges
Germany Advances to EuroBasket 2025 Semifinals After Overcoming Sluggish Start Against Portugal
Germany's basketball team showcased their resilience in Riga, overcoming a halftime deficit of 31:32 to secure a convincing 85:58 victory against Portugal and advance to the semifinals of EuroBasket 2025.
In the absence of head coach Alex Mumbru, who missed the group stage due to an abdominal illness, assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic took charge. Mumbru returned to the sidelines for the first time during the EM, leading practice and coaching from the sidelines in Riga.
The team started the game sluggishly, falling behind early. However, Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner stepped up, scoring 16 points each to lead Germany's offense. Maodo Lo made a crucial three-pointer late in the third quarter, giving Germany the lead (52:51).
Despite the improved performance, Germany struggled to find their rhythm from three-point range, making only one of 18 attempts in the first half. This nervousness and tension were compounded by the importance of the game. Ibrahimagic acknowledged these factors, stating that Germany's missed shots and the significance of the match were causing the team to be more nervous and tense.
The final ten minutes of the game were still a tough battle for Germany, but their higher quality eventually prevailed. The team's performance in the quarterfinals was their weakest of the tournament, but they managed to turn things around when it mattered most.
The EM semifinals will take place on Wednesday, with Germany facing either Italy or Slovenia. If Italy or Slovenia wins, the potential opponent from the other quarterfinal side could be Turkey or Greece, but not Italy or Slovenia at this stage. The semifinal will feature NBA superstar Luka Doncic, adding an extra layer of excitement to the match.
The other coach expected to face Germany in the semifinal, if Italy or Slovenia wins, would be the coach of Finland. This potential match-up is a testament to Germany's progress in the tournament, as they have demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure.
As Germany prepares for their semifinal match, they will need a significant performance improvement and a return to the form shown in the group stage to continue their run in EuroBasket 2025.
