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Serbia's Nikola Jokic (left) showed his world class against Germany
Photo:
IMAGO/Andreas Hannig / IMAGO/Lobeca
In the final of the Supercup in Hamburg, the German national basketball team lost 56:83 (31:37) against Serbia.
Top scorer of the DBB selection was Andreas Obst with twelve points, the Serbs could rely on their center Nikola Jokic, who scored 22 points.
Right at the start of the game, Germany fell into an 11-point deficit.
Jokic from the NBA team Denver Nuggets, two-time MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the strongest league in the world, was covered by Leon Kratz - the center easily won the duel.
Jokic was unstoppable at the basket, and the Serbs also hit their first four three-pointers.
Germany is struggling with failures
Germany was missing a playmaker in attack.
Dennis Schröder, who has been the new DBB captain since Wednesday, is usually responsible for this.
In the semi-finals of the mini-tournament against the Czech Republic, however, the point guard twisted his ankle and was unable to play.
Schröder's replacement, Maodo Lo from Alba Berlin, looked exhausted and could not contribute much.
Attacks often ended with long three-point attempts or beleaguered shots at the basket.
At half-time, the gap was still only six points.
In the third quarter, however, Germany had no chance.
Jokic came back into play for a few minutes and turned it up again.
The Serbs' lead quickly grew to 13 points and the Germans ran out of steam.
At the end of the quarter the deficit was 24 and the game was decided.
Preparations for the European Championship continue on Thursday.
Then the World Cup qualifier in Sweden is coming up for Germany.
Before the game against Serbia, the DBB had announced that NBA center Daniel Theis would be out for the upcoming games with knee problems, his commitment at the home European Championship from September 1st was still unclear.
In addition to Theis, Moritz Wagner has already dropped out with an ankle injury.
mrk