‘Love and trust’ helps fuel Germany’s upset of Team USA

Germany celebrates advancing to the Fiba World Cup final after beating Team USA. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–When plain ol’ good basketball wasn’t enough, love and trust helped Germany seal a nailbiting 113-111 victory over the United States in the Fiba World Cup on Friday and clinch a spot in the title duel at Mall of Asia Arena.

“It was dangerous, huh?” Moritz Wagner, who had 10 points and two assists, said in jest of the wringer Germany had to go through in the tense semifinal showdown.

“You need a lot of love and trust for your teammates and we kept stressing that we’re focusing on the process and not what happens afterwards. To keep every possession, to keep grinding, I think we did that and our players made every play to win us the game.”

Germany had a three point lead entering the final two minutes before Austin Reaves sank two free throws to push Team USA closer, 108-107.

‘WE GOT TO GO? WE GOT PRACTICE?’ 😂😂😂

WATCH: Germany’s Moritz Wagner poked fun at one of his coaches during a post-game interview after winning over Team USA in the #FIBAWC semis. | @MeloFuertesINQ

READ: https://t.co/J8nPIyAvdK pic.twitter.com/rvTcarY7iv

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 8, 2023

With the Germany bench watching anxiously as they saw their lead dissipate, Andreas Obst took care of business with a big-time triple to lift Germany to a 111-107 lead with only a minute and 14 left.

“Those are incredible basketball players. Everybody can play and they play super hard so we had to stay within ourselves,” Wagner said.

“Focus on ourselves and our teammates and keep pushing, believing and executing the game plan,” he added.

Now, Germany sets its eyes on Serbia in the global competition’s Final on Sunday, while the Americans try to claim the bronze when they face Canada in the battle for third place, also on the same day.