RIGA (Latvia) - Germany reached the Final of the FIBA EuroBasket 2025, extending their incredible run dating back to 2022, when they finished third in EuroBasket, then followed it up with gold at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and another Semi-Finals appearance in Paris 2024.
"We saw why they are the best team in the world, we couldn't handle that defensive effort which gave them the opportunities to play in the open court," Finland head coach Lassi Tuovi said after the game.
Germany, meanwhile, were happy, but not really ecstatic just because they secured another spot on the podium.
"We didn't come for silver," Dennis Schroder said.
"We already have silver now, but that's not why we're here. We're here for gold. That's the goal."
With 26 points and 12 assists, he was named the TCL Player of the Game.
"At the end of the day, I just try to do my best to keep the team in check, to make sure that we get a W. Everybody in that locker room knows exactly what they have to do to be able to be successful and that's what we did today. It's about the team today," Schroder said.
There is also a method to his 12 assists on the day, as Franz Wagner was his main target in the first half. Here is how Dennis explained it:
"I just read the game. I shoot a lot of threes now, I should go the basket sometimes, but at the end of the day, just run. Put my teammates in position to succeed, Franz in particular, the first five-six minutes in the game, then Andi Obst and all those other guys, too. Just reading the game and trying to make the best decision."
Wagner had 22 points on the day, even though he shot 6-of-18 from the field. How does he stay aggressive even when the shots aren't falling?
"Got to stay confident. I thought I didn't take some of the best decisions today," Franz said, but he remains an optimist when assessing his performances since the start of the competition.
"It's okay. I can always play a little better," Wagner smiled, adding:
"We played a solid game, didn't start with our best rhythm. We got to give Finland a lot of credit, they adjusted a little bit from our first game in the group stage, they made it tough. Hopefully we'll play a little better in the Final."
Wagner was also full of praise for an unsung hero. Tristan Da Silva knocked down three three-pointers en route to 13 points in just 19 minutes of action.
"Tristan was big. He played a hell of a game. Coming in super ready, he gave us a lot of energy and was a big offensive boost off the bench."
Da Silva himself was humble.
"I'm just happy that I got to come in, provide some energy off the bench, play the right way and make sure that our team gets rolling," he said, praising Wagner and Schroder back:
"They show the way from the jump, from the first day I was in the training camp, I saw how they lead by example and how vocal they both are. Obviously it makes it easier for us because there is so much attention on these two, most of the scouting report is focused on them, and that kind of opens up the game for the rest of us.
"They are very unselfish, they wanna play as a team, that's what makes it super easy to be a part of this group and it makes it fun."
Germany know they are in the Final for the first time in 20 years. The last time they were there, they faced Greece. History repeating on Sunday?
"It doesn't matter. Türkiye and Greece are both great teams and it's gonna be a fight," Johannes Thiemann has no preference when it comes to the name of the opponent.
FIBA