Basketball EM: Germany loses against Slovenia for outstanding Luka Dončić

Enlarge image

Duel of playmakers: Luka Dončić versus Dennis Schröder

Photo:

THILO SCHMUELGEN / REUTERS

The German national basketball team suffered its first defeat in the European Championship.

The DBB selection lost 80:88 (36:44) against European champions Slovenia and thus only has outsider chances to win the group.

The entry into the next round was already certain after three victories.

Tuesday night's game was a great show for Slovenia's top star Luka Dončić, who once again underlined his status as one of the best players in the world.

The 23-year-old Dallas Mavericks point guard directed the Slovenians' game and scored 25 points.

German top scorer was Captain Dennis Schröder with 19 points.

The German selection found it difficult to get into the game two days after the dramatic win against Lithuania.

Point guard Schröder was looking for his rhythm, Franz Wagner, who was outstanding against Lithuania, couldn't find his way into the game.

And because Dončić dominated the game on the other side, the Slovenians gradually pulled away.

The first quarter ended with 14:21.

Even after that, the Slovenes were significantly more aggressive and more alert in defense.

Almost three minutes passed in the second quarter before Johannes Thiemann scored again for the Germans - 17:26.

But the Germans, whose offensive didn't run as smoothly as last time, didn't get any closer.

Not everything went according to plan on the side of EURO favorites Slovenia, but Dončić kept fueling himself up to the basket.

It got really loud in the Cologne Arena for the first time when Schröder sank two spectacular threes in the middle of the second quarter and shortened the lead to 23:31.

After that, the Germans were better in the game and didn't let the Slovenians pull away.

It was 36:44 at half-time.

Germany comes into play better

'We have to play our game.

That hasn't worked out yet," said Thiemann at half-time at MagentaSport.

Germany then started the third quarter much more actively, led by Schröder, the DBB selection fought its way to four points.

After four minutes, Wagner also scored his first points of the game with a three.

Slovenia's offensive faltered while Schröder grew stronger.

Germany stayed close to Slovenia, three minutes before the end of the third quarter coach Gordon Herbert's team was within two points, but because Dončić kept shooting at the other end the score was 55:61 at the end of the third quarter.

Despite the clear increase in performance in the second half, Germany did not manage to turn the tide in the fourth quarter either, mainly because the throws from the three-point line did not fall into the basket.

In the end it got hectic again after Germany had the opportunity to come back five points behind.

The group victory is still possible for Germany.

If Slovenia wins against France on Wednesday, the Slovenians will be group winners.

In the event of a Slovenian defeat, Germany still has chances.

Germany will play the last group game against Hungary on Wednesday (8 p.m., stream: MagentaSport).

kyo