Germany’s basketball prowess, once underscored by the towering presence of Dirk Nowitzki, finally found its crowning moment. Surprisingly, without Nowitzki. The dynamic combination of Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner propelled Germany to a much-coveted position atop the FIBA World Cup podium.
Previously, even with an NBA stalwart like Dirk Nowitzki leading the charge, the FIBA World Cup trophy eluded Germany. This year, however, the magic duo of Schroder, who accumulated an impressive 28 points, and Wagner with his valuable 19 points, ensured Germany finished the tournament unvanquished.
Overcoming the American Challenge
Germany didn’t just stop at a winning spree; they even shattered a recent anomaly of sorts. Historically, teams that overcame the basketball giants USA (especially after they began recruiting NBA talents) often stumbled later in the World Cup. However, Germany broke this pattern, reminiscent of Serbia’s 2002 feat when they defeated the USA and clinched the trophy. In this edition, Germany emulated that Serbian accomplishment by overcoming the American challenge in the semifinals and eventually hoisting the trophy.
The Tense Battle Against Serbia
Quarter-by-Quarter Analysis:
| Quarter | Germany | Serbia |
| 1st | 23 | 26 |
| 2nd | 24 | 21 |
| 3rd | 22 | 10 |
| 4th | 13 | 20 |
From the very onset, it was evident that both teams were ready for a grueling contest. The Serbian team led the scoreboard after the initial period. However, the German squad swiftly overturned this four-point advantage, nosing ahead with mere minutes remaining in the second quarter.
The halftime whistle blew with both teams neck and neck at 47 points apiece. Bogdanovic’s two free throws ensured that parity. And by that juncture, he had already bagged 15 points, equaling the combined tally of Schroder and Wagner, who had 14 each for Germany.
But the tide turned dramatically in the third quarter. Schroder’s commanding presence on the court saw Germany leap ahead by 11 points, with the NBA star contributing eight to his total of 23 by that point.
Entering the final quarter with a comfortable lead, Germany seemed poised for victory. However, Serbia wasn’t done. They slashed the deficit, even coming within four points of their opponents. However, timely plays by Wagner and Voightmann kept the Serbians at bay.
The game reached its crescendo with just over a minute to play. After some skillful plays and strategical fouls, it was Schroder, once again, who stamped his authority with a decisive layup, ensuring a four-point lead with mere seconds to spare. Avramovic’s valiant three-point attempt failed, sealing Germany’s historic win.
Key Performers
While Schroder and Wagner stole the headlines, let’s not forget the under-the-radar heroes:
- Bogdan Bogdanovic: Despite Serbia’s loss, Bogdanovic’s contribution of 17 points was commendable.
- Aleksa Avramovich: The highest scorer for Serbia in the final with 21 points.
- Johannes Voightmann: Not the highest scorer, but his 12 points came at crucial moments, bolstering Germany’s bid.
Sadly, Serbia’s Ognen Dobric had to bow out just two minutes into the game due to injury. His absence, potentially, was a significant setback for Serbia.
The All-Star Five and MVP Recognition
Dennis Schroder’s unparalleled excellence in the tournament not only drove Germany to a historic title but also earned him the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade. The German maestro, with an average of 19.1 points and 6.1 assists throughout the competition, was instrumental in his team’s final game win over Serbia, where he notched up a commendable 28 points. Schroder’s impact was best encapsulated in the dying seconds, where he confidently drove in the match-sealing layup. Joining Schroder in the distinguished All-Star Five line-up were several other luminaries:
- Serbia’s captain, Bogdan Bogdanovic, had an impressive average of 19.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. Notably, this is his consecutive All-World Cup acknowledgment, following a stellar 2019 performance.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Canada showcased his prowess by leading his team to a historic bronze finish. Averaging 24.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds, he was the top scorer among the semifinalists.
- Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ sensation, ensured Team USA’s notable mention in the All-Star Five with his 14.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.
- Slovenia’s prodigy, Luka Doncic, despite his team’s seventh-place finish, was the tournament’s top scorer, averaging a phenomenal 27.0 points, complemented by 7.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
Other Key Honors: Breakthrough Players and Coaches
The 2023 FIBA World Cup also introduced awards for the Best Defensive Player, Best Coach, and an All-Second Team. Dillon Brooks, who played a pivotal defensive role for bronze-medalists Canada, was duly recognized as the Best Defensive Player. Meanwhile, the coaching genius of Luca Banchi, who masterminded Latvia’s surprising fifth-place finish and an incredible 21-3 record since his appointment, earned him the Best Coach accolade. The All-Second Team was graced by notable talents like Arturs Zagars (Latvia), Simone Fontecchio (Italy), Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Nikola Milutinov (Serbia), and Germany’s Franz Wagner.
