Franz Wagner leads Germany’s third-quarter surge vs Montenegro

Aug 27, 2025 4:52 PM

The opening half was evenly contested, with both teams trading baskets and keeping the score close.

But after the break, Germany unleashed a relentless surge behind the brilliance of Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, and Andreas Obst, who electrified the floor and guided the reigning world champions to an emphatic win.

Turning Point

For much of the first half, neither side was able to create significant separation – the largest lead by either team was just eight points. That changed midway through the third period when Germany strung together a decisive 7-0 run, opening up their first double-digit advantage at 55-45.

From there, Obst caught fire, draining four tough triples and sparking a 33-12 explosion in the quarter. With Wagner and Schröder closing strong, Germany completely shifted the momentum and effectively shut the door on Montenegro’s hopes.

TCL Player of the Game

Dennis Schröder once again showed why he was the MVP of the FIBA World Cup. The German captain was sharp and efficient, scoring 21 points to go along with 4 assists while shooting 54 percent from the floor. Remarkably, he produced that output in just over 21 minutes of action.

Backing him up were Wagner, who came out aggressive and never let up – finishing with a game-high 22 points and 8 rebounds – and Obst, whose sharpshooting lit up the third quarter en route to 18 points on an incredible 5-for-6 from deep.

Stats That Tell the Story

At halftime, Germany was shooting 45 percent from the field, keeping them narrowly ahead 46-43. After the intermission, their efficiency skyrocketed – topping 50 percent overall and an eye-popping 70 percent on two-point attempts.

The result was a devastating second half in which Germany outscored Montenegro 60-33, transforming a tight battle into a blowout.

Bottom Line

Germany could hardly have asked for a better start to their campaign. Their star trio of Schröder, Wagner, and Obst took control when it mattered most, showing the depth and balance that make them such a dangerous team.

With this victory, they move confidently toward their next matchup against Sweden on Friday.

For Montenegro, the challenge now is regrouping after a second-half collapse. Despite a strong effort from Nikola Vucevic – who recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists – they couldn’t keep pace with Germany’s intensity.

They will look to rebound against Lithuania, who opened their tournament with a win over Great Britain.