LAUSANNE (Switzerland) - Germany and Slovenia will be shooting for history with a spot in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 Final on the line in an all-European Semi-Final.
Slovenia have reached the top four for the first time ever while Germany's only previous Semi-Finals appearance dates back to 1987. One of the two teams will lock up their maiden podium finish while the losers will have a second chance in the Third Place Game.
These two teams faced off in their first game of the tournament with Germany winning 75-68 after coming back from 13 points down. Will this boost the Germans’ confidence or fuel Slovenia’s motivation?
Key matchup
Lovro Lapajne vs Hannes Steinbach
Slovenia were ambushed on the glass in the opening game 46-24 with the Germans grabbing 15 offensive rebounds. Hannes Steinbach snatched 7 of his 19 rebounds at the offensive end and he also picked up 19 points.
Slovenia had no answer for the German big man. Lovro Lapajne is one of the few bigs on a Slovenian side altogether lacking size and he will need to someone keep Steinbach as well as German center Eric Reibe in check.
X-factors
There is the revenge factor for Slovenia. Not only revenge for the loss in the group stage but also after Slovenia were beaten 88-68 in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024.
Nearly all of the players from both teams from last summer are back. It's never easy to beat a team twice in the same competition - not to mention three times in the span of two summers.
Stats don't lie
Germany rank third in the competition in scoring with 88.2 points per game while Slovenia do not have the offensive firepower with only 78.0 points scored - good for 10th place. That is also because Slovenia connect on only 25.5% three-points - good for 13th. Slovenia also rank second to last in offensive rebounds with 12.2 per game.
Past matchups
Slovenia and Germany have squared off 30 times in FIBA youth events including the matchup on Day 1. The Germans have won 16 of them - including the U18 EuroBasket 2024 Semi-Final, which was the only knockout game between them.
FIBA