“A lot relieved”
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Basketball players beat Nigeria and stay in the quarter-finals
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Quarter-final chances: The German basketball players.
Photo: dpa / Swen gatekeeper
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Saitama Germany’s basketball players achieve their first victory at the Olympics. After the success against Nigeria, it is possible to enter the knockout round. A tough opponent in the preliminary round is still waiting.
The beginning has been made: thanks to strong nerves and a strong final phase, the German basketball players celebrated their first victory at the Olympic Games and retained their chance of reaching the quarter-finals. The team of national coach Henrik Rödl deservedly defeated Nigeria in Saitama with 99:92 (50:50), the starting position has improved significantly before the last round game on Saturday (10:20 a.m. CEST) against medal candidate Australia.
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“We showed great morale,” said Rödl: “We were ten points back in the third quarter and then 14 points ahead in the fourth quarter. That has distinguished us all summer. Now we are in the tournament and are looking forward to it Australia.”
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After the botched start on Sunday against Italy (82:92), when after a strong start in the last minutes hardly anything came together, the selection of the German Basketball Federation (DBB) prevented the almost certain end despite some difficulties. Only the two best teams of the season make it into the round of the best eight, plus two out of three thirds in the group.
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“This time we did what we should have done in the last game. I’m proud of this team,” said point guard Maodo Lo. It is a “very cool thing” that the team “stuck together” despite the shortfall in the meantime. The opponent had “put an incredible amount of pressure on. I’m so relieved.”
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Against Nigeria, which had beaten record Olympic champions USA in preparation, the DBB team started with high concentration, defended consistently and pulled away – but lost an early double-digit lead (22: 12/8th minute) far too quickly. The opponent was then too often successful from the three-point line, the defense had problems in this phase.
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The start of the second half failed completely, Jordan Nwora of NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks brought the Nigerians, who had eight professionals from the North American top league, forward with three three-pointers in a very short time to 66:55 (24th).
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Now Johannes Voigtmann turned it up, made important points and brought the DBB team back on. Moritz Wagner also played well, but conceded his fourth foul before the final quarter and had to watch first.
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It was 74:74 before the last ten minutes, the lead initially changed back and forth, then the German team around top scorer Voigtmann (19 points) pulled away with one run in the Saitama Super Arena (93: 81/38.). Unlike in the Italy game (Rödl: “An exception for us”), the DBB selection showed no more nerves and brought home the all-important victory.
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“We found our strengths in the second half, that we play as a team, that we play strong defensively together,” said Danilo Barthel, who scored 14 points: “We stayed calm during the crunch time. Now everything is still open . Next up is Australia, we know it’s going to be a very, very difficult game. “
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