When Daniel Theis started the three with 2:25 minutes to go, the spectators in Cologne began to cheer. Moments later, when the ball slipped through the net and Germany led 15 points against France, the celebration in the arena was finally on. Ironically, Theis, whose commitment was uncertain for a long time, dealt the French a sporting fatal blow that evening.
Germany’s basketball players made a dream start at the European Championship. The team of national coach Gordon Herbert won the first group game in the Cologne Arena 76:63 (38:31) against co-favorite France. The most successful thrower of the DBB selection was Johannes Thiemann (14 points). Dennis Schröder scored eleven points, but only hit four of his 14 shots. A strong team performance made up for the German captain’s weakness in throwing.
“France only scored 63 points, we made it difficult for them all evening,” praised Theis after the game. “Of course I’m missing two weeks of preparation, but we have twelve strong players. Johannes Thiemann made an unbelievable game. We can only win as a team.” The national coach was also satisfied. “We fought as a team and played without fear. The team deserves recognition,” said Herbert afterwards. “It was one of the best games I’ve ever played in Germany,” said the strong Niels Giffey (13 points), enthusiastic about the home crowd.
The game started after the jersey ceremony for Dirk Nowitzki with a half-hour delay. Then the German team started with Schröder, Nick Weiler-Babb, Franz Wagner, Johannes Voigtmann and Jonas Wohlfarth-Bottermann. “We’re excited to finally get going. We have to defend and rebound hard for 40 minutes. France is a very athletic team,” said national coach Herbert before the game on “Magentasport”.
Above all, Rudy Gobert, the 2.16 meter center of the French, had to be controlled under the baskets. Already in the second attack, Wohlfarth-Bottermann only knew how to help himself with an unsportsmanlike foul against the giants of the Minnesota Timberwolves (arm span 2.36 meters). After less than two minutes, Theis came on for him.
The Indiana Pacers center had trembled for a long time about his participation in the European Championship. Theis only reported back from his knee problems at the beginning of the week. “Daniel Theis is in good shape for missing two weeks of preparation. He tried everything to come back. It worked, there are no restrictions”, the national coach was relieved before the game. Theis clearly lacked the rhythm of the game, after just a few minutes the 30-year-old was breathing heavily, but then he put Germany ahead for the first time with his three to make it 9:7 (7th). Another shot from distance by Giffey shortly afterwards increased the lead of the DBB selection to 15:10.
After the difficult preparation of the German team with many cancellations and injuries, the Herbert team was stable in defense in the early stages of the game. Vincent Collet furiously clenched his fists on the touchline in the second quarter; France’s coach obviously disliked the sluggishness of his players.
Schröder’s performance, on the other hand, was light-footed despite an ankle injury that still worries the German captain. Thanks to his fast move to the basket, Germany took a 29-20 lead in the middle of the second quarter. If Schröder needed a break, Maodo Lo wowed the sold-out arena with his dribbles.
The French are among the favorites for the European Championship, even without NBA pro Nicolas Batum and Nando de Colo (Lyon-Villeurbanne). Nevertheless, the DBB selection managed to keep the Tokyo Olympic finalists at 31 points at halftime. A strong performance. “We allowed a few simple things, otherwise we could lead even higher. France are a very strong team,” said Thiemann self-critically during the break.
The second half began with strong minutes from Guerschon Yabusele: France’s beefy power forward threw in two threes and in between spectacularly blocked Wagner on the lay-up. The French suddenly led 39:38 (24th). On the German side, Thiemann in particular held out in this delicate phase. Led by the 28-year-old and his Berlin teammate Lo, Germany pulled away to 54:43 in the third quarter (29th).
From then on, the favored French made the impression that they themselves no longer believed in a turning point. Gobert in particular was disappointing and sat on the bench for a long time in between. Around three minutes before the end, Schröder flew past the NBA center and put the ball in the basket to make it 71:57. In the final minutes, the German team let itself be celebrated by the 18,000 spectators. Bosnia-Herzegovina (2.30 p.m. / Magentasport) awaits in the second group game on Saturday.
