Strangle attack overshadows bitter DBB defeat
Without the Wagner brothers and Daniel Theis, the German basketball team has no chance against France. The World Champion is still missing a few weeks before the Olympics to reach top form. Dennis Schröder shines, but is also involved in a physical altercation.
Germany's Basketball World Champion had a disappointing start to the Olympic preparation. The team led by captain Dennis Schröder lost clearly in Cologne with a score of 66:90 (28:48) against Olympic host France. This was the second-highest defeat during the nearly three-year tenure of national coach Gordon Herbert.
While the guests, led by supertalent Victor Wembanyama (25 points), impressed their medal aspirations for Paris before 18,500 fans, the German team must significantly improve in the coming three weeks. Schröder got into an altercation with NBA teammate Evan Fournier in the second half, who retaliated after a foul, and scored a total of 23 points in his first national team game since the World Championship title in Manila. Schröder did not receive enough support this time.
The excitement of the game, which was also watched live by the German handball national team, was the scene between Fournier and Schröder. After a hard foul from the Frenchman, both NBA professionals engaged in a verbal spat before Fournier grabbed Schröder by the neck with both hands. A unsportsmanlike foul was called against Fournier, and he had to leave the court early.
Wembanyama shuts down the zone
The NBA professionals Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, and Daniel Theis were not on the court - to the disappointment of the fans, who wore many Wagner jerseys in the sold-out arena in Cologne. The reason is the contract situation of the three professionals, who have not been able to sign a new contract in the NBA yet. Herbert called the situation at MagentaSport "an obstacle."
From the unsigned contracts, problems arise with the insurance. At least for the Wagner brothers, it should work out before the return match, which takes place on Monday (9 p.m./ProSieben MAXX) in Montpellier. Both have agreed on a new contract with the Orlando Magic and only need to sign the paperwork. It is still open whether Theis will be able to participate in the second preparation game.
On the court, the French were immediately present. Led by the ambitious supertalent Wembanyama (2.23 meters) and defensive specialist Rudy Gobert (2.16 meters), they took the lead point by point. Later, the French lead quickly became double-digits. Germany attempted its first twelve three-point shots in vain. Schröder and Co. hardly dared to enter the zone because Wembanyama was waiting there with his extremely long arms.
The game was already decided at halftime. France led by 20 points and had advantages in all statistical categories. The mobile giant Wembanyama bent the German defense in parts like slalom poles and delivered peak performance even after the break. He made a three-pointer over the rim. After the return match in Montpellier, the two teams will meet again in the Olympic preliminary round in Lille on August 2.
Dennis Schröder's performance was notable in the International match, despite his altercation with Evan Fournier during the game. Germany's absence of key players like Dennis Schröder's NBA teammate Evan Fournier, Franz Wagner, Moritz Wagner, and Daniel Theis, due to contract disputes, impacts the team's performance in preparation for the Olympics.
