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Germany outclassed hosts Japan 81-63 to ease to their first win of the FIBA World Cup 2023 on Friday (25 August).
While Japan managed to outscore Germany in the second half, the day’s second Group E encounter at Okinawa Arena was never close as the visitors did not trail throughout the 40 minutes.
Mo Wagner led the game with 25 points and nine rebounds while a controlling Dennis Schroder paced Germany with 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“We came out strong, wanted to play defense and dictate the game - and that’s what we did,” Schroder said.
“We put pressure on them and I’m really satisfied we won the game. They’re really tough to guard. They’ve got crafty, shifty point guards and two, three guys who can put it on the floor and shoot.
“We feel lucky to have won this game.”
Watanabe Yuta, nursing a right-ankle sprain, dropped a team-high 20 points and grabbed six rebounds for Japan in his first game in 11 days.
Japan had made no secret of the fact that they were going to live by the 3 and die by the 3 against Germany, and were virtually on life support after the first half.
Despite getting some very good looks, Tom Hovasse’s men shot just 17 per cent from downtown through the first two quarters as Germany more than doubled the lead after one.
By halftime, the Germans - who had been impressive in the build-up with strong performances against Canada and USA - were up 53-31.
Schroder, in particular, had his way downhill against the pint-sized point guards of captain Togashi Yuki and Kawamura Yuki.
And for all their misses, Japan just had no answer to Germany’s frontcourt on the glass, being outrebounded 47-36.
Australia, one of the tournament favourites, await Germany on Sunday when Japan take on Finland.
Regardless of their chances against Finland, Japan need to minimize any damage in that game as Paris 2024 quota from Asia could come down to points differential.
“If we’re even in wins and losses, it comes down to points difference so every point counts,” Watanabe said. Today, we didn’t give in until the very end.”
“If you’re out on the court, you can’t make excuses,” he added, when asked about the condition of his ankle. ”Who knows, maybe someone on Germany is hurt but we just don’t know about it. So I’m not about to start.
“We’re going to give up size on Finland so we have to play to our strengths in speed and quickness.”