The German national basketball team won their World Cup qualifying match against Israel in Riga 92:86 (45:37). It was the fourth win in five games of the first group stage. The world and European champions had already secured their spot in the second qualifying round beforehand.
Top scorer for Germany was captain Dennis Schröder with 20 points. Christian Sengfelder (16) and Kay Bruhnke (15) also contributed double-digit scores. The team started with a dream run, leading 10-0 after just 80 seconds. After a dominant first half, they pulled away decisively in the third quarter. Tim Schneider gave them their first 20-point lead (71:51). Despite a brief run by Israel in the final period, the game never became truly tense again.
Schröder is the only NBA player in the squad for the current international window under head coach Álex Mumbrú. The Spaniard cited injuries, free agency, and fatigue from a heavy game schedule as reasons for the selection. Among those missing are the Wagner brothers Franz and Moritz, Tristan da Silva, and Isaiah Hartenstein. On Monday, Germany faces Cyprus in Bamberg, a team with no chance of advancing.
Source: www.sueddeutsche.de
