Germany crowned EuroBasket champions after thrilling win over Turkey

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Dennis Schroder delivers the big hits as Germany, the reigning FIBA World Cup champions, lifts the EuroBasket title for the first time since 1993

RIGA, Latvia – Germany pulled off a stunning 88-83 victory over Turkey on Sunday, September 14 (Monday, September 15, Manila time), to win the EuroBasket title for the first time since 1993, with point guard Dennis Schroder (16 points, 12 assists) draining a late jump shot and then adding a pair of high-pressure free throws in a thrilling climax.

The reigning World Cup champions put in a gritty defensive display, with Isaac Bonga (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) coming up with key plays down the stretch before Schroder put the team on his back and carried them over the line with a late-game point-guard masterclass.

Both sides began with a barrage of three-point attempts, blocks, and bruising challenges in a high-octane first half that saw Turkey take a six-point lead into the break, but that lead was quickly erased at the start of the third period as the Germans roared back.

Hampered after collecting three fouls over the first three periods, Turkey’s Alperen Sengun (28 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 blocks) came back into the game early in the fourth quarter and made a tough hook shot before taking a charge on the defensive end to preserve a slender three-point lead.

Cedi Osman (23 points and 5 rebounds) went back up the floor and hit his sixth three-pointer of the night to double their lead as the momentum swung, but they could not shake the Germans off, and when Sengun picked up his fourth foul with just under four minutes remaining, Bonga gave Germany a one-point lead on the next play.

With the game reaching boiling point, Schroder scored with a driving layup before Bonga grabbed an offensive rebound and Schroder made the most of it, hitting a pull-up jumper with 19 seconds left to give the Germans a three-point lead.

Sengun tried to level, heaving a three-pointer with Daniel Theis’ hand in his face, but the shot kissed the front of the rim, and Osman fouled Schroder after the rebound, with the 31-year-old icing the two resulting shots from the line to secure a superb win.

In the bronze medal match, Greece had to hold off a frenetic late fightback to squeeze past Finland, almost blowing a 15-point lead in the final four minutes before hanging on to win 92-89 to secure third place in the tournament. – Rappler.com