Basketball EM: Germany fends off Montenegro's race to catch up and is in the quarterfinals

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Point Guard Dennis Schröder directed the German game

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IMAGO/Tilo Wiedensoler / IMAGO/camera4+

The German national basketball team has reached the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

In the round of 16 in Berlin, the selection of the DBB (German Basketball Association) prevailed 85:79 (48:24) against Montenegro.

Dennis Schröder scored the most points for Germany (22 points, eight assists), while the Montenegrins' top scorer was Kendrick Perry with 25 points.

The Montenegrins had only moved up to the field of participants for the European Championship because Russia was excluded because of the war in Ukraine.

In the weak Group A, Montenegro finished third and surprisingly won against Spain.

In the evening (8.45 p.m., stream: Magentasport) Germany’s quarter-final opponent will be determined.

Then the Czech Republic plays against the favored Greeks with NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the best players in the world.

So far Greece is undefeated at the European Championship.

Germany's quarter-finals will take place on Tuesday, the time has not yet been set.

From the first second the Germans were clearly superior to the Montenegrins.

On the defensive, Germany forced many turnovers and allowed Montenegro only ten points in the first quarter.

However, the Germans missed numerous offensive chances, meaning that the lead was only nine points.

Schröder shines, but Montenegro can still get close

The balance of power became clearer in the next section, with passes repeatedly coming to teammates close to the basket.

The Germans were also successful from the line of three in the first half: 46 percent of all attempts ended up in the basket, a very good value.

Captain Schröder in particular showed his class against Montenegro after recent inconsistent performances.

The playmaker already had eight points and seven assists at the break, even his three-pointers found their target.

The highlight of his performance was a dunk against Montenegrin winger Dino Radončić.

The dominance of the Germans was also reflected in the half-time result of 48:24 points.

The game seemed decided.

The second half got off to a worrying start for Germany, however, as Montenegro hit a couple of threes and started an 11-3 run that DBB coach Gordon Herbert responded to with a time-out.

Montenegro played much better offensively than in the first half and scored 26 points in the third quarter.

The gap narrowed in the closing stages – then Montenegro playmaker Kendrick Perry scored three in a row and suddenly it was a tight game, just five points apart.

Important goals from Maodo Lô and Daniel Theis increased the lead again.

With the score of 80:75 and 30 seconds on the clock, Schröder could have decided the game, but he lost the ball while dribbling.

On the counterattack, Montenegro scored quickly and only needed one more possession.

Germany was awarded two free throws and possession of the ball for an unsportsmanlike foul by Perry.

Lô converted both attempts and the game was decided.

mrk