Germany has opened its Eurobasket 2025 marketing campaign with authority, beating Montenegro 106-76 behind a dominant efficiency of Orlando Magic Earlier than Franz Wagner.
The 24 -year -old led all of the scorers with 22 factors in simply 23 minutes, set the tone for 30 -point victory in Germany. Wagner added eight rebounds, two interceptions and support whereas firing 8 for 15 on the sphere and 6-in-9 from the Launchers line. Its effectivity ranking of 21 excessive groups mirrored its total affect, as a result of it additionally completed with extra / much less +8.
Wagner’s outstanding efficiency happens whereas he’s making ready to enter his fifth NBA season with The Magic. In 2024-25, he had a median quantity in excessive profession with 24.2 factors, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 interceptions per sport whereas pulling 46.3% on the sphere on 60 competitions. Nonetheless Accidents restricted it earlier within the seasonWagner returned to information Orlando in second place in consecutive playoffs.
Germany benefited from the presence of Wagner within the opening, whereas he attacked the sting, transformed to the road of free throws and always created rating alternatives. His efficiency mirrored the kind of versatility that established it as one of many rising stars of the NBA.
Franz Wagner shines whereas Tristan Da Silva gives depth within the begin of the Eurobasket in Germany
One other Orlando connection additionally performed a job in victory. Tristan Da Silva, making ready for his second NBA season, added 4 factors, two interceptions and a rebound in 14 minutes. The shot earlier than 2 for six from the sphere, ending with a +19 plus / much less and an effectivity ranking of three.
Da Silva appeared in 74 video games as a recruit, with a median of seven.2 factors, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per sport whereas pulling 41.2% in whole and 33.5% past the arc. Its presence alongside Wagner provides Germany a further depth within the space earlier than the remainder of the event.
Deputy coach Alan Ibrahimagic credited German changes within the second half are the important thing to victory.
“We anticipated a tough match as a result of the primary sport of the event remains to be tough,” stated Ibrahimagic. “It’s a good crew from Montenegro, and I anticipate them to enhance because the event is progressing. We targeted on us, we performed a reasonably good offense, the primary half, we had good pictures, however defensively there was room to enhance, that is what we did within the second interval, and we performed our tempo.”
Germany, which gained its very first gold medal within the FIBA World Cup in 2023Between Eurobasket with elevated expectations. With Wagner paving the best way, the crew will goal to proceed their stable departure throughout their second group match in opposition to Sweden on Friday.
For Wagner, the event affords one other alternative to current the progress it has made with its attacking sport whereas strengthening its function of cornerstone for Germany and magic.
