Kofi Inkoom
In a historic moment, Germany secured their inaugural FIBA World Cup trophy by defeating Serbia, their European counterparts. This victory marks a significant addition to the list of champions.
This achievement came after an intense final showdown in front of over 12 thousand fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, culminating in a final score of 83-77.
This marks the second occasion they’ve earned a spot on the podium, following their bronze medal win in Indianapolis in 2002.
Serbia, on the other hand, secured the second position for the second time in the last three World Cups, having previously lost the final to the United States in 2014.
The pivotal moment came during the high-scoring first half, where the game remained tied at 47-all after an intense 20 minutes of fast-paced basketball.
However, after halftime, Coach Svetislav Pesic had to make adjustments to his lineup due to Ognjen Dobric’s ankle injury, which prevented him from returning to the game.
Germany capitalized on this opportunity by finding their offensive rhythm while placing considerable trust in Johannes Voigtmann to defend Nikola Milutinov individually.
This trust proved fruitful as Serbia’s offense struggled, allowing Germany to establish a commanding 64-53 lead with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter.
Dennis Schroder 🔥#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/boFparvAIv
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) September 10, 2023
Serbia, however, didn’t concede easily. Aleksa Avramovic spearheaded an impressive comeback, narrowing the gap to 71-64 with 7:22 remaining.
His three-pointer from the corner, reducing the deficit to 73-69, ignited a deafening roar from the arena crowd.
While it appeared that Germany might once again regain control, with Voigtmann replicating his three-pointer from the left corner, Avramovic continued to keep Serbia’s hopes alive.
He scored six consecutive points, bringing Serbia within a single possession at 78-75 with 1:21 left on the clock.
In a critical moment, Marko Guduric had an opportunity to tie the game from the right corner following a steal by Bogdan Bogdanovic, but he missed the shot, allowing Germany to reestablish a two-possession lead.
When Guduric finally scored to make it 79-77, Coach Gordie Herbert entrusted the ball to his superstar, Dennis Schroder. Schroder delivered with a clutch layup, extending Germany’s lead to 81-77 with just 21.4 seconds remaining in the game.
History made! Germany clinches their first-ever World Championship title! 🇩🇪🏆 #FIBAWC #Champions #WinforGermany
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) September 10, 2023
There was no comeback after that pivotal moment; Serbia turned the ball over, and Schroder sealed the final score with free throws.
The TCL Player of the Game award TCL Player of the Game honor was awarded to Franz Wagner for his outstanding performance, tallying 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Franz Wagner’s first half in the final:
🪣 14 PTS
✊ 3 REB
⚙️ 13 EFF#FIBAWC x #WinForDeutschland 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/ONqNIHIkXA— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 10, 2023
The big-game performances by Dennis Schroder and Bogdan Bogdanovic also deserve some credit, both taking on the responsibility of leading their respective teams and guarding each other. Schroder emerged as the hero, finishing with 28 points, including the game-winning shots.
Bogdanovic also showcased an impressive performance. His contributions in the first half kept Serbia in contention against Germany, but it wasn’t enough to secure the gold. He tallied 17 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds.
In summary, it was truly a game to be remembered. Both teams showcased high-level basketball with a blend of tactical finesse and aesthetic brilliance, eliciting admiration from the Filipino crowd on nearly every possession.
The basketball legacy in Germany continues to grow, with memorable moments from Christian Welp’s dunk to win FIBA EuroBasket 1993, Dirk Nowitzki’s scoring prowess in 2002, and now, the Wagner Brothers’ energy, Dennis Schroder’s leadership, and Andi Obst’s introduction to the world in 2023.
This victory follows their bronze medal at FIBA EuroBasket 2022, marking the first time in German basketball history that they’ve secured major event medals in consecutive years.
Serbia, on the other hand, displayed an exceptional tournament, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in the basketball world.
Their back-to-back Finals appearances in 2014 and 2016 speak to their remarkable consistency.
Marko Guduric, reflecting on his own journey, acknowledged that winning the gold medal in 2002 was what ignited his passion for basketball as a child.
Now, he and his teammates have become role models for the newer generations of this illustrious basketball nation.