With answered prayer, Germany ends Latvia’s Fiba World Cup run

Latvia’s Davis Bertans reacts after lacking the sport winner towards Germany within the Fiba World Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web

MANUKA, Philippines–Johannes Thiemann had one factor in thoughts when Davis Bertans launched a triple close to the top of the match.

“I used to be praying. I used to be actually praying that he (Bertans) misses that shot,” mentioned the Germany ahead, moments after his squad held off giant-slaying Latvia, 81-79, on Wednesday of their Fiba World Cup quarterfinal match at Mall of Asia Enviornment.

Germany thus superior to the semifinals the place it faces the USA, however solely after surviving a scare from the impressed Latvians who flew to Manila having crushed defending champion Spain and Olympic silver medalist France.

“[They’re] unbelievable. The way in which they play, the way in which they beat large groups, it’s loopy how they performed as a crew and I believe they’d an unbelievable event,” mentioned Thiemann, who completed with 10 factors.

The Germans had been up by 10, 79-69, with 2:39 left within the recreation when Latvia fired on all cylinders for a 10-2 run, shaving their deficit to 2, 81-79.

With two seconds remaining, Bertans, who completed with 20 factors, fired an extended ball for the win however missed, giving the tight victory to Germany.

Johannes Thiemann after Germany’s win over Latvia. He completed with 10 factors and 7 rebounds.

Ready for the Germans within the #FIBAWC semis is Group USA. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/gOjfFo3ZwD

— INQUIRER Sports activities (@INQUIRERSports) September 6, 2023

“They’re a troublesome crew. They fought like hell and on the finish, they fought themselves again to the sport and even bought an opportunity to win it,” mentioned Thiemann.

Even Dennis Schroeder, who was bedeviled by the Latvian protection for an abysmal capturing night time, needed to tip off his hat to the quarterfinalists.

“Large shoutout to them. They performed arduous, shot numerous threes, beat numerous groups this event, shoutout to them, actually good crew,” mentioned the Toronto Raptors guard.

The previous Los Angeles Laker scattered 9 factors on a lowly 15.4 % capturing clip, sinking simply 4 of his 26 tries from the sector.

“That is in all probability the worst recreation I ever performed in my profession,” mentioned Schroeder, who missed all his eight tries from past the arc.

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