Germany’s Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner lead team to overtime win

In a EuroBasket warm-up that had echoes of a David and Goliath showdown, Germany upset reigning World champions Spain, 106-105 in overtime. The German duo of Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner led their team to a thrilling victory, proving they can compete with the best.

Playing in Madrid, Spain, the German team, coached by Henrik Rödl, managed to beat a Spanish team led by their long-time coach Sergio Scariolo and captained by Alex Mumbru. This victory is a significant boost for Germany as they prepare for FIBA EuroBasket 2025.

Germany’s Schröder and Wagner shine

Schröder and Wagner were the stars of the show. Schröder, the team’s captain, finished with a double-double of 24 points and 10 assists. Wagner, a swingman, added 19 points and 7 assists to the win.

“Schröder and Wagner were the absolute protagonists for the winners,” said a FIBA official.

Spain’s Brizuela fights back, but it’s not enough

Despite the loss, Spain’s players showed resilience, fighting back to force overtime. However, it was not enough to overcome the German team’s performance. Dario Brizuela scored a game-high 20 points in a losing effort.

“We must have felt in a good mood, wanting to express gratitude to the legend Sergio Llull, celebrated by his people,” Brizuela said after the game.

Germany and Spain prepare for FIBA EuroBasket 2025

With this win, Germany improves to a 4-1 record in friendly games ahead of EuroBasket 2025. Meanwhile, Spain finds themselves with a 1-4 record, having won only against Czechia in their EuroBasket preparation encounters.

However, as Spain’s 2022 EuroBasket championship win shows, the team should not be underestimated. “Everybody was counting them out, and they came out on top. Again,” a FIBA official remarked.