Australia - Germany

World Cup Group Stage Round 2
Okinawa, August 27, 10:30 CET

In an 81-63 victory over Japan on the opening day of the World Cup on Friday, Germany scored just 28 points in the second half. This must not be misleading: the main players rested in the third and fourth quarter, team was fully focused on the next match with Australia.
A duel with absolute NBA flair and class is before us: Australia will perform with as many as nine players from NBA clubs, and the Germany team with three NBA players, on Sunday in the second round of World Cup group stage. In reality, we are talking about national teams that are in the narrowest circle of those who play the most attractive attacking basketball. In this way, they will look for victory in this potentially uncertain match.
The Germans, in addition to three stars from the strongest league in the world (playmaker Schroder who has been the team's leader for years, forward Franz Wagner who is the main shooting option and his brother Moritz Wagner who is of exceptional quality in the center position), also have excellent options of seven players who play in the Euroleague . In the rotation, center Johannes Voigtmann, who has an excellent and versatile shot, as well as reserve playmaker Maodo Lo, are especially important. Overall, this is a team that can play effective basketball in all 40 minutes.
In six preparatory games, in each of those duels Germany managed to score at least 84 points, with defeats against the absolute favorite United States (99:91) and exceptional Canada 113:112 in overtime. It is clear that this is a national team that is a candidate for a medal.
On the other hand, Australia has every right to be considered one of the favorites for the title. The strength of the team was demonstrated in a convincing victory over Finland, 98:72 in the match played on Friday.
For the Australians, the most important thing is that they've been playing together for a long time and have routine and composure in the game. Guard Patty Mills and guard-forward Joe Ingles are experienced leaders, while excellent young guard Josh Giddey is slowly taking over the role of the main shooting option in the attack. In the rotation, amazing athlete Josh Green and Dante Exum are extremely important, because they provide the team's game with additional variety and a different dimension. This squad is extremely strong in the transition game, and it is expected that the Australians can match the superior three-point shooting of the Germans.
In the preseason, only once did the Australians score fewer than 86 points and only once did they lose, 90:86 to Brazil on August 16. A match of a similar pace, with a large number of three-point shots and many penetrations under the basket in the early phase of the attack, is expected against Germany.
Counting on the quality of individuals, it can be expected that both teams have good percentages of shooting. This game is an absolute treat and one of the most attractive when it comes to the complete first group stage of the World Cup.