Germany emerged as the new reigning champions in men’s international basketball after an impressive and undefeated run in the World Cup. Dennis Schroder played a pivotal role, scoring 28 points, while Franz Wagner contributed 19 points in Germany’s triumph over Serbia in the final. It was an historic moment for Germany, as they claimed their first-ever World Cup title, surpassing their previous best performance of a bronze medal in 2002. With an 8-0 record, Germany joined a prestigious group of five consecutive undefeated champions.
Serbia, led by Aleksa Avramovic with 21 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic with 17, fell short in the title game for the second time in three tournaments. The team faced adversity with the absence of their top player, Nikola Jokic, who opted to rest for the upcoming NBA season. However, Serbia surprised many with their remarkable performance, drawing inspiration from the harrowing injury suffered by reserve forward Borisa Simanic. Despite their valiant efforts, Serbia was ultimately unable to overcome Germany’s dominant play.
Germany sealed their victory with a strong surge in the third quarter, outscoring Serbia 22-10 and establishing a comfortable lead. Although Serbia made a late push, closing the gap to 79-77, Schroder’s layup in the final moments secured Germany’s four-point advantage and ensured their World Cup triumph.
Germany’s ascent to become the world’s best in basketball was once considered unlikely, even during the era of Dirk Nowitzki, their greatest player. However, the team implemented a strategic plan that involved securing a three-year commitment from their top players, with a focus on the World Cup and the Paris Olympics. The second year of this plan proved to be a turning point for the German team, who had previously struggled in past World Cups. With the Naismith Trophy now in their possession for the next four years, Germany solidified their status as basketball champions on the international stage.