Even though Germany was considered to be the favorite in this one, due to a series of solid performances, FYROM played better in the second half and grabbed the win behind 25 points of veteran Vrbica Stefanov.
Stefanov started the game hot, scoring 10 points in the first quarter that saw FYROM leading with 18-14. In the second quarter Germany's Head Coach, Dirk Bauermann threw Luca Staiger into the game who scored 3 three-pointers to put Germany ahead with 28-26. After that the lead changed sides multiple times and the two teams went to the locker rooms ties at 36-36.
FYROM took small margins early in the third quarter, but a midway into the quarter Jan Jagla's three-pointer cut the lead to just one point ( 47-46). It was then when FYROM started their 20-4 run for a lead of 17 points that ended Germany's hopes for a second win in the tournament. Late German efforts for a comeback were unsuccesfull and the game ended 86-75 for FYROM.
FYROM 86-75 GERMANY
FYROM: V.Stefanov 25, Mirakovski 9, Sokolov, R.Stefanov 1, V.Stojanovski, Blazevski, Tasovski 13, Gecevski 9, Antic 13, D.Stojanovski, Massey 16, Samardziski
Germany: Staiger 14, Schaffartzik 10, Schultze 3, Ohlbrecht 12, Wysocki, Hamann 2, Greene 10, Pleiss, Harris, Femerling 13, Benzing 6, Jagla 5
Game quotes:
Dir Bauermann (Germany coach): Stefanov is probably the best player in his age right now in Europe. I think our young players played well today yet some of the veterans were struggling a bit. We were paralyzed a bit and wanted maybe a little too much and that probably created that series of turnovers.
Jovica Arsic (FYROM coach): We played better defense for 20-25 minutes and when we started to shoot good as well we opened a gap to decide the game.
Dime Tasovski: We had a tough loss two days ago but just like it happened with our tough loss to Greece and then the win over Israel we recovered quickly. Now we need to beat Russia and make it to the Quarter-Finals.
