The German basketball national team suffered its first defeat in the World Cup qualification. Without their stars, they lost to Croatia in Zagreb 88:93. Despite a fighting performance, they lacked consistency.
The German basketballers, world and European champions, had to face Croatia in the World Cup qualification without nearly all their stars. National coach Alex Mumbrú had already described the match as a 'very tricky task'. Missing were NBA pros like captain Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner, as well as EuroLeague players like Maodo Lo, Daniel Theis, Isaac Bonga, Johannes Voigtmann, and Andreas Obst.
In the Dražen Petrović Basketball Center in Zagreb, the Germans still delivered a courageous performance. After the first quarter, they led 26:20, among other things by keeping Croatia's star Mario Hezonja under control. At halftime, the lead was 50:46.
In the second quarter, Hezonja, who had played for Real Madrid against Bayern Munich in the EuroLeague the day before, took command. After the break, the exchange intensified. In the middle of the third quarter, the Germans lost control, and Hezonja put the hosts ahead.
In the final quarter, Croatia pulled ahead by seven points, but Germany fought back. The 20-year-old Jack Kayil even put the visitors ahead 84:83. Ultimately, errors made the difference, and Croatia won 93:88.
Germany's top scorer was David Krämer with 22 points; for the Croats, NBA pro Dario Šarić scored 23. Germany had previously beaten Cyprus and Israel and remains among the top three in the four-team group to advance to the next phase.
On Sunday at 6 p.m., the teams meet again in Bonn, broadcast on MagentaSport. Oscar da Silva from Bayern Munich might then join.
