Germany as soon as once more underlined their credentials at EuroBasket 2025, dismantling hosts Finland with a convincing 91-61 victory in entrance of a sold-out crowd of 12,900 followers at Tampere Deck Area.
The win secured Germany’s excellent 5-0 file in Group B, as they accomplished group play with out blemish. Though they narrowly missed the prospect to grow to be the primary group in EuroBasket historical past to attain 100 or extra factors in 5 straight video games at a single match, their dominance was by no means doubtful.
Germany set the tone from the opening tip and by no means seemed again. Finland, urged on by a passionate house crowd, tried to maintain tempo, however the Germans pulled away late within the second quarter with a 29-17 run that put them up 50-36 at halftime.
Any hope of a comeback shortly light after the break, as Franz Wagner threw down a two-handed dunk on the very first play of the third quarter, a second that epitomized Germany’s management. From there, Gordon Herbert’s aspect closed the sport with authority, ending group play unscathed.
Wagner was as soon as once more the standout, delivering a near-flawless efficiency with 23 factors, 7 rebounds, and three assists in simply 20 minutes. Dennis Schroder, the veteran chief, added 16 factors, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in a show of his all-around influence.
Finland’s Olivier Nkamhoua fought valiantly, notching a double-double of 16 factors and 10 rebounds, nevertheless it wasn’t practically sufficient to decelerate the German machine.
The numbers informed the story. Germany shot a blistering 57 % from the sphere within the first half, whereas Finland managed simply 37 %.
And with historical past on their aspect – undefeated in 25 EuroBasket video games when main by double digits at halftime – there was by no means a lot doubt in regards to the end result. Finland’s closest push within the second half introduced them inside 13 factors, however Germany shortly widened the hole.
Each groups had already booked their spots within the Spherical of 16 in Riga earlier than tip-off. Germany’s win cemented them as group winners, a press release to the remainder of the sphere, whereas Finland settled for third place in Group B.
Franz Wagner mirrored on the group’s progress after the sport, saying, “We got here right here with the purpose to enhance each recreation, and I feel we’ve executed that. The vitality from the followers was superb, however we stayed centered and performed our recreation.”
Schroder echoed that sentiment, including, “That is simply step one. We’re not glad but – we wish to go all the way in which.”
In the meantime, Finland head coach Lassi Tuovi acknowledged the problem of going through one in every of Europe’s greatest.
“Germany are one of many strongest groups on this match. We fought, however within the second half their high quality was simply an excessive amount of. Nonetheless, I’m pleased with how our guys competed in entrance of our followers,” Tuovi stated.
Germany 🇩🇪 dominate Finland to complete excellent in Group B!#EuroBasket
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 3, 2025
