German star to miss Boomers clash?

Former Boomer Ryan Broekhoff has called for more of the same from the Australians in their World Cup game on Sunday evening, as they take on group rivals Germany.

Like Australia, the German side is staked with NBA talent, in the form of Mo and Franz Wagner, Daniel Theis and Dennis Schroder.

They also boast former NBA talent Isaac Bonga, and Maodo Lo and Johannes Thiemann – who boast nine German Basketball Bundesliga titles between them.

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“I expect it to be somewhat similar,” Broekhoff said of Australia’s defensive scheme.

“I think Matisse [Thybulle] didn’t play as much in the first half due to foul trouble, so hopefully he’s able to stay out of it against Germany, but the versatility and chaos they can bring, the different switching lineups Australia can go to, out’s going to mix things up, it’s going to junk things up, it’s going to cause turnovers and headaches.

“I wouldn’t see too much of a change even though Germany have some solid bigs, it’s not sitting in the post and grinding out for twos. They use it to create, their bigs can step out and shoot the three, so it’s still not that big bruiser down low like a Valanciunas or something you really have to worry about.”

Despite supporting a similar defensive display to Australia’s opening game win over Finland, Broekhoff called on the side to ensure it's switched on defensively from the first minute of the game.

“Germany is not a team you can give a 10, 12-point lead early and be as easy to come back against as Finland,” he said.

“It’s going to be a grind the whole game but just take care of the ball, play well defensively and make sure we’re all on the same page.

“It’s the biggest challenge in Australia’s group. You expect these teams to finish one and two and today’s game will decide how it shapes up.

“Germany is tough either way, there’s lots of NBA experience, lots of international experience and they seem to be hitting their straps at the right time.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? Germany needed little time to pick up steam as they rolled past Japan for a triumphant <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> opener!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForDeutschland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForDeutschland</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/7BLoZHjAxx">pic.twitter.com/7BLoZHjAxx</a></p>&mdash; FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ? (@FIBAWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1695098294903660946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Germans could, however, be without Orlando Magic big Franz Wagner, who is currently nursing an ankle injury.

Wagner played 26 minutes in the Germans’ opening group clash with Japan, but it was brother Mo who starred with 25 points in the 18-point win.

Broekhoff says whether Wagner suits up for tonight’s clash or not, the Boomers will have their defensive scheme locked in.

“If there’s no risk of further injury or if he’s able to tolerate whatever it is you probably roll him out for your best chance to finish first in the group and have your easiest stage going through,” he said of the injury.

“At the same time it’s a long tournament, there’s lots of games and you play every couple of days so every day extra rest and recovery you can get into it really helps with ankles.

“We’re going to have to wait and see – the Boomers will be prepared either way.”

The Boomers take on Germany in their second World Cup group game tonight at 6:30pm AEST, live on ESPN.