Athletes Persist in the Face of a Tough Match

Germany's basketball squad, as anticipated, progresses to the EuroBasket quarterfinals. Yet, against an underdog, the world champion encounters prolonged difficulties. Nonetheless, they succeed in overcoming these obstacles.

, and Administrator

2025 September 14 . 11:19 PM

2 min read

Athletes persist in the aftermath of a challenging match in basketball

Athletes Persist in the Face of a Tough Match

In a nail-biting quarterfinal game in Riga, Germany secured their spot in the next round of the EuroBasket tournament with a hard-fought victory against Portugal.

The game started off rough for the Germans, as they found themselves trailing 2:7 early on. However, they managed to turn things around in the first quarter, ending it with a slim one-point lead (19:18).

Despite their strong start, Germany's performance in the following quarters was their weakest of the tournament. They struggled to find a rhythm from three-point range, making only one of 18 attempts in the first half.

Head coach Alex Mumbru, who had returned to the sidelines after missing the entire preliminary round due to an abdominal illness, took a more active role and led the team's practice in Riga before the game. He appeared recovered and took the first play on his tactics board before the match.

The last ten minutes of the game remained a tough battle, with both teams fighting tooth and nail. However, the superior German quality ultimately prevailed in the final quarter, securing a 70:60 win.

Captain Dennis Schröder delivered a brief message to the German basketball team after their win, praising their resilience and determination. He also mentioned that they missed many good shots and became nervous during the game.

Ibrahimagic, the head coach of Portugal, acknowledged the challenge his team faced against the Germans. Germany's top form from Tampere was not immediately apparent, but they managed to pull through and secure a spot in the next round.

In the quarterfinals, Germany will face either Italy or Slovenia, which features NBA superstar Luka Doncic. The Germans will be hoping to build on their win against Portugal and continue their run in the tournament.

The victory over Portugal marked a significant milestone for Germany, as they were behind at halftime (31:32) for the first time in the tournament. Maodo Lo's sinking of a crucial three-pointer at the end of the third quarter was a highlight of the game, helping to keep the Germans in contention.

Against Portugal, Schröder and Franz Wagner each scored 16 points to lead the German scorers. The team will now look ahead to their next challenge and aim to continue their impressive run in the EuroBasket tournament.