German basketball players face a setback as initial installation of a damper is halted
In the final of the 2025 DBB SuperCup, Germany faced EuroBasket favourite Serbia, marking an important match in their EuroBasket 2025 preparations. The game took place at the Munich SAP Garden, with 11,579 spectators, including some Serbian fans, creating a lively atmosphere.
Germany's captain, Dennis Schröder, scored 12 points in the game, while Franz Wagner led the team with a impressive 26 points. However, it wasn't enough to secure a victory, as Serbia showcased depth and balanced scoring. Nikola Jovic led with 22 points, supported by Bogdan Bogdanovic and Tristan Vukcevic, while Nikola Jokic contributed a near triple-double despite a quieter scoring night.
The game started with Germany applying intense pressure on NBA star Jokic, who scored just seven points, below his usual standards. Despite this, Serbia secured an unthreatened victory against Germany. At halftime, Jokic had only scored three points, but the game seemed decided after three quarters.
Tristan da Silva, Wagner's NBA teammate, scored 14 points, and Johannes Thiemann added 11. Germany made a fantastic run in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough for a comeback. Despite Jokic's lower performance, Serbia's strong form and depth were evident, crucial for EuroBasket.
Germany will start their EuroBasket campaign against outsider Montenegro on August 27. Head coach Alex Mumbru will use the next few days to prepare his team in Munich, with two test games against European champions Spain upcoming: one in Madrid on Thursday and the return game in Cologne on Saturday.
Despite the loss, this SuperCup game served as important competitive experience ahead of EuroBasket 2025. Germany will aim to adjust after this defeat by analyzing their struggles during the first half, where they shot poorly, and build on stronger second-half execution going forward.
The EuroBasket tournament puzzle is far from complete ten days before it begins, with many of Germany's plays not automated and key players like Maodo Lo and Johannes Voigtmann struggling after injuries and virus infections. Mumbru will need to pay close attention to the fitness and health of his players when reducing the squad from 15 to 12 players.
Notably, Germany's basketball team suffered a 81:91 defeat in the Supercup final against Serbia, who are considered favourites for EuroBasket 2025. Despite the setback, Germany will look to learn from this experience and continue their preparations for the upcoming tournament.
In the run-up to EuroBasket 2025, basketball was a central focus, with Germany's SuperCup game against Serbia providing valuable competition experience. Despite losing to the favored Serbian team, Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner displayed impressive scoring abilities in the game, with 12 and 26 points respectively.
