Germany beats Serbia for 2023 FIBA World Cup gold medal, Dennis Schroder named tournament MVP

Germany is the 2023 FIBA World Cup champion after defeating Slovenia, 83-77, to clinch the gold medal Sunday in Manila. In the method, Germany finished an sudden and undefeated run during the tournament that incorporated an dissatisfied victory over a closely preferred Team USA within the semifinals.

Germany was once led via the similar two gamers in its gold medal-winning effort because it was once during the tournament. Dennis Schroder, in the end named the tournament’s MVP, scored 28 issues within the identify recreation to assist seal the victory for Germany. Not to be outdone, Franz Wagner was once named participant of the sport for the general after completing with 19 issues, seven rebounds, 3 steals and two assists. 

That has in large part been the system for Germany during the tournament: Schroder leads the best way on offense, whilst Wagner does a bit little bit of the entirety to make stronger him. The consequence was once a historical second in German basketball historical past.

This was once the primary gold medal for Germany now not most effective on the World Cup, however at any in point of fact world festival. Its most effective different gold medal had in the past come at EuroBasket in 1993. Germany earned Bronze at EuroBasket remaining summer season, and that effort helped vault Germany to the highest of the World Cup this summer season. Its highest end in a World Cup previous to this gold medal got here in 2002, when a gaggle led via tournament MVP Dirk Nowitzki earned bronze.

Serbia, in the meantime, got here up simply quick in a tournament no person anticipated them to win. Though the Serbians have carried out smartly in fresh global festival, together with a silver medal on the 2014 World Cup, they entered this tournament with out many in their highest gamers, together with new Oklahoma City Thunder level guard Vasilije Micic, former Los Angeles Clippers level guard Milos Teodosic, former Golden State Warriors giant guy Nemanja Bjelica and, most significantly, reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic. 

Despite the ones absences, Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic led Serbia to silver and ensured its qualification for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. There, Serbia will probably have its complete roster to be had and input the tournament as probably the most favorites. In that sense, this run may end up reasonably really useful, because it gave gamers who would possibly now not differently have performed main roles enjoy that might assist out in a crowded Olympic box.

Canada rounded out the medal podium Sunday via taking bronze in an additional time victory over heavily-favored Team USA. Now, all 4 groups, in addition to host France and qualifiers Australia, Japan and South Sudan will flip their consideration to Paris subsequent summer season, when all of the box will try to take Germany’s new crown.