Mumbru back: Germany is fighting for the European Championship quarter-finals!

Mumbru back: Germany is fighting for the European Championship quarter-finals!

In an exciting round of 16 of the European Basketball Championship on September 6, 2025, the German national team made it into the quarter-finals and defeated Portugal 85:58. The game took place in Riga and marked the return of the national coach Alex Mumbrú, who missed the preliminary round due to an acute illness. He only came out of the hospital on the Monday before the game, where he was treated for a serious abdominal problem.

With five wins from five games, Germany finished the group stage confidently. However, the performance in the round of 16 was not the best, which was also noticed by assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic, who led the team during the group stage. He said that nervousness and tension had a significant influence on the game. This was also reflected in the fact that the German players had difficulties throwing from distance and only one of 18 three-point throws in the first half found the target.

Gameplay and challenges

The start of the game was bumpy: Germany quickly fell behind 7-2. But after a key moment in the first quarter, the team was able to turn things around and finished 17:12. But despite this comeback, the players did not show the form they had shown in the preliminary round.

At halftime, Germany was behind for the first time in the entire tournament (31:32). The performance stabilized slightly in the third quarter, with the lead of just one point (52:51) being saved into the final phase of the game. The greater individual quality of the German players ultimately prevailed, and with a strong final phase they secured the quarter-finals. Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner were the game's best scorers with 16 points each, with Schröder leading the team as captain.

Outlook for the quarterfinals

Either Italy or Slovenia are now waiting for the German team in the quarterfinals. For the players, this means another exciting duel in this very competitive championship. As already mentioned by Radio Ennepe-Ruhr reports, it is important for the team to leave their nervousness behind them and focus on the strengths that made them strong in the previous games.

The German national basketball team has developed significantly in recent years. They are currently in third place in the FIBA ​​world rankings and can look back on successful participations, such as the 2023 World Cup. With a strong team that includes both experienced and young players, expectations are high that they can compete in the quarter-finals.

Overall, the upcoming challenge will be exciting. And while the mood in the team is mixed, the whole of Germany is hoping for a strong performance in the next game of the European Championship.