Germany vs Latvia FIBA World Cup Quarter Final Recap

• Germany remain unbeaten at the 2023 FIBA World Cup behind 16 points from Franz Wagner on his first game back from injury. 
• 24 + 8 assists from Zagars and 20 from Bertans not enough to power Latvia past Germany.
• Schroder struggling with 4/26 from the field.
• Germany will face off against Team USA to play for their World Cup Final spot. 

Germany overcome early Latvia lead to clinch World Cup semi-finals

Latvia started strong as Bertans powered this FIBA World Cup’s biggest surprise with a 10-point lead in the first quarter of play at the Mall of Asia Arena, in the Philippines. 

With their star struggling, Die Maanshaft turn to Franz Wagner and Maodo Lo to reduce the deficit, as they tighten their defense on a red-hot Latvian team. The Germans manage to come back and close the first half on a meager two-point lead. 

Germany want to finish the job but Latvia keep close in the third quarter. However, Germany seem set to punch their semi-finals tickets when they go on a 14-1 run at the start of the final period, powered by the Wagner brothers and Bonga. The score is 74-60 Germany, and it seems like the ballgame is over. With this Latvia team, though, it’s never over – Bianchi’s men keep score consecutive three pointers to cut the lead to a two-possession game, before 5 points from Dennis Schroder restore Germany’s double-digits lead (79-69) with 2:46 minutes to go. 

An unlikely task, even for resilient Latvia: however, Zagars and Kurucs don’t give up, scoring a mini 7-0 run with less than a minute to go, meaning Latvia are only two points behind Germany. Theis and Zagars keep the affair close, before Schroder misses the floater to kill the game with 6 seconds to go. 

Bertans grabs the rebound and sprints to the other end of the court, with a chance to win it for the Latvians. Unfortunately, the OKC player can’t sink the long three, and Latvia’s incredible FIBA World Cup runs ends against Germany after an incredible game. 

Player Of The Game

Franz Wagner played his first game since August 25 and turned up strongly against Latvia. To his 16 points scored with 5/8 from the field and 4/5 from the charity line, Wagner added 8 boards, and 3 dimes. Germany really benefited from his comeback, and Gordon Herbert’s team turned to him in the most important moments, such as the 14-1 run he started at the beginning of the fourth quarter.