Franz Wagner scored 18 factors, and Germany overcame a sluggish begin to beat Greece 76-63 on Tuesday and advance to the Olympics semifinals for the primary time.
Dennis Schroder added 13 factors and eight assists for the reigning World Cup champions, who will face the winner of France and Canada on Thursday. Germany’s earlier greatest end on the Olympics was seventh place in 1992.
Germany is unbeaten on the Paris Video games after going 3-0 within the group stage.
Wagner mentioned he and his teammates haven’t needed to look too deep for additional motivation throughout their time in France.
“I feel everyone on the workforce is aware of that we’ve acquired a particular group, and I wish to get probably the most out of this,” Wagner mentioned. “Clearly, final 12 months was particular however we’re making an attempt to proceed that and hopefully hold that momentum going ahead.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 22 factors for Greece, which was denied its first semifinals berth in Antetokounmpo’s first Olympics look.
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Greece had 15 turnovers, main to twenty factors for Germany.
“There have been numerous particulars on this (recreation) they get you punished. They get you beat,” mentioned Greece’s Thomas Walkup, who added 12 factors.
Wagner entered the quarterfinals averaging a team-high 22 factors per recreation however struggled to get going.
Greece led by 12 at one level — the primary time Germany had trailed by 10 or extra factors within the event. However Germany settled in and used a giant third quarter to take a seven-point lead into the fourth. Germany began the ultimate interval on a 13-5 run to extend its result in 72-57 with 1:50 remaining.
Germany coach Gordon Hebert mentioned going to a much bigger lineup and switching extra on protection was efficient after halftime.
Wagner mentioned carrying the identical mentality all through the event benefitted Germany after its preliminary gradual begin.
“I feel it speaks to our maturity,” Wagner mentioned. “We even talked about it at halftime — not the whole lot’s going to go good on a regular basis. So, you type of recuperate from that and modify and react. I assumed we did an excellent job of responding.