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    Germany holds off Latvia rally to set up World Cup semis vs Team USA

    Germans shrug off Schroder struggles to end Latvia Cinderella run
    Sep 6, 2023
    Johannes Voightmann Germany vs Latvia
    Johannes Voightmann and the Germans are through to the semifinals.
    PHOTO: Patrick Romero

    GERMANY advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup, ending the Cinderella run of Latvia, 81-79, on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

    Germany vs Latvia recap Fiba Basketball World Cup 2023

    The Germans nearly squandered a 10-point fourth quarter lead, with Davis Bertans missing a three-pointer in the final possession of the game for Latvia.

    Germany arranged a semifinal match against United States on Friday, but not without some nervy moments.

    Brothers Franz Wagner and Mo Wagner were responsible for Germany’s early pullaway that turned a 62-59 lead entering the fourth to a 70-59 advantage. Franz topscored for Germany with 16 points, while Mo had 12 including a slam at the end of that 11-0 run.

    Mo Wagner Germany vs Latvia

    Germany also won following the struggles of Dennis Schroder, who missed his first 12 shots before finishing with nine points including some clutch baskets in the fourth that enabled Germany to grab a 79-69 lead.

    Germany celebration vs Latvia

    Schroder, though, ended up shooting just 4-of-26 from the field.

    Artus Zagars had 24 points with the lefty leading the spirited rally by Latvia in the end game including a lay-up that cut the deficit to two with 33.1 seconds left.

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    “We won. It wasn’t pretty. We were a stinker in the offensive end. I thought our bench for the third or fourth game in a row was outstanding,” said Germany coach Gordon Herbert.

    Latvia has been relegated to the classification round where they will face Italy in battle for the fifth to eighth places.

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      The scores:

      Germany (81) - F. Wagner 16, Obst 13, M. Wagner 12, Thiemann 10, Schroder 9, Theis 9, Lo 6, Bonga 3, Voigtmann 3, Hollatz 0, Giffey DNP, Kramer DNP.

      Latvia (79) - Zagars 24, Da. Bertans 20, Smits 14, Grazulis 8, R. Kurucs 7, Zoriks 4, A. Kurucs 2, Strautins 0, Cavars 0, Di. Bertans DNP, Pasecniks DNP.

      Quarterscores: 13-16; 36-34; 62-59; 81-79.

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      Johannes Voightmann and the Germans are through to the semifinals.
      PHOTO: Patrick Romero
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