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Germany first to enter Olympics Basketball Men’s Semis
Germany overcame their slow start to beat Greece 76-63 in their quarter-finals match-up and be the first one to enter the final four in the Olympics Men’s Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, August 6 (Manila Time).
Franz Wagner led the German team in scoring with 18 points while Dennis Schroeder chipped in 13 points and 8 assists. The recent World Cup champions improved their record to 4-0 in the tournament.
At the beginning of the game at the Bercy Arena, Germany fell behind 10-2 at the start and trailed much of the opening half.
But a Schroder three-pointer after the break gave the Germans the momentum to control the game and took a 59-52 advantage coming into the final frame where they finished off their opponent.
With the win, Germany men’s basketball team has entered the Olympics semi-finals for the first time in history.
Photo Courtesy: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
After the game, Wagner said that "It means a lot (to be in the semi-finals for the first time), I think everybody in the team knows that we have a special group. That's motivation enough.”
"I was seven, I think, when Dirk (Nowitzki) played in the Olympics and I think we've come a long way, and that's because of guys like him. (It is) All on us to keep that going forward,” he added.
On the other hand, two-time NBA MVP and first-time Olympian Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 points for Greece, which was denied their first final four appearance in the Summer Games.
As the first to enter the semis, Germany will have to wait for the winner of the Canada-France battle and meet them in the final four.
