WORLD CHAMP. Team Germany celebrates its first-ever FIBA World Cup title shortly after besting European powerhouse Serbia, 83-77, before 12,022 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday (Sept. 10, 2023). Germany's Dennis Schroder took home the Most Valuable Player plum. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros Jr.)
MANILA – Germany beat Serbia, 83-77, capturing its first title in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, witnessed by 12,022 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday.
Germany's Dennis Schroder scored 28 points and was named tournament Most Valuable Player, awarded by NBA legend and FIBA World Cup 2023 ambassador Carmelo Anthony.
This is Germany’s first World Cup finals after it placed 18th in the 2019 edition.
Dennis Schroder took over for Germany down the stretch and closed the door on Serbia's comeback bid.
With the lead down to three after Serbia's solid fourth quarter, Schroder made a split from the foul line to bring Germany's lead back to four, 79-75, with 48 seconds left.
Marko Guduric made two free throws off a Franz Wagner foul in the next play, but Schroder burst with speed and hit a huge layup with 21 seconds left to up Germany's cushion back to four.
Guduric faltered in the end as he turned the ball over in the ensuing possession, and Germany formally iced the game with two more free throws.
"The biggest thing I ever did was make Dennis captain. He takes so much pride in being captain of the German national team. I can't say enough about Dennis Schroder and what he has meant for German basketball," Germany coach Gordie Herbert said.
Wagner added 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Germany came from the so-called group of death that also featured Australia, Finland, and co-host Japan but the team still managed to sweep the group and eventually needed to beat surprising Latvia, heavy favorite USA, and Serbia in the playoffs en route to sweeping the event.
"To be 8-0 in a group where we had big-time teams, it's just unbelievable. Winning the gold medal is a blessing," said Schroder, who was joined in the "All-Star 5" by Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic, Canada's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, USA's Anthony Edwards, and Slovenia's Luka Doncic.
Aleksa Avramovic put up 21 points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal to lead Serbia, which has yet to win the FIBA World Cup as a solo nation since the Yugoslavia breakup.
Germany and Serbia’s only previous meeting was in Turkey in 2010 in the preliminary round, with Germany winning by a slim margin, 82-81.
This is the fifth finals between two European teams at the World Cup and the first since 2006 in Japan (Greece-Spain).
Previous European champions were the former Yugoslavia with five, the former Soviet Union with three, and Spain with two.
Serbia’s only previous finals appearance was in 2014 in Spain, losing to USA, 129-82.
Canada edges USA in OT
In the first game, Canada achieved its best finish ever in the FIBA World Cup after beating the USA in overtime, 127-118, in the bronze medal game in front of 10,666 fans.
In the second highest-scoring game ever in the FIBA World Cup, Canada dominated the overtime period, 16-7, outscoring a shorthanded USA that played without Jaren Jackson, Paolo Banchero, and for the second straight game Brandon Ingram due to illness.
Team USA's slowdown in the extra 5 minutes also put into waste Mikal Bridges' late heroics in which he intentionally missed the second free throw with his team down three, recovered the ball from the right corner, and shot a tough triple that forced overtime.
Dillon Brooks led Canada with 39 points, the most scored by a player in any FIBA World Cup medal game, on 12-of-18 shooting including 7-of-8 on threes, four rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points on 11-of-20 shooting, six rebounds, 12 assists, and one block, while RJ Barrett chipped in 23 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
Anthony Edwards led Team USA with 24 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block, while Austin Reaves added 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
It also marks the first time that the USA ended up without a medal in consecutive FIBA World Cup tournaments since it wound up fourth (1963 and 1967) and fifth (1970) in three consecutive tournaments.
The USA was 2010 and 2014 champion and seventh in 2019.
'Excellent' hosting
In a press briefing before the USA and Canada match, FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis described as "excellent" the Philippines' hosting of the sporting event.
"Manila has been an excellent host. I don't think it's easy to find anywhere else in the world this level of service to the visitors," Zagklis said.
"I can only express how grateful FIBA is to the Philippines and the City of Manila. From the head of the State (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.), who came to the opening game, to the volunteers that took care of us here in the venues and our hotels. We're grateful."
Indonesia and Japan co-hosted the tournament's group and second phases. (PNA)
