A revenge-hungry Germany wins all four periods in Heidelberg behind captain Johannes Thiemann’s 16 points and 8 offensive rebounds. Now the February window will be absolutely decisive for Swedish advancement.
For a long time it looked as if the Swedish thunderbolt would last, as if Friday’s discharge was nothing exceptional but a new level of normal. The threat that was Andreas Obst never appeared, and by the time Melwin Pantzar had done his homework on David Krämer. Sweden made their free throws and cleaned up the rebounds the Germans left — two areas with potential for improvement from the first meeting.
What remained in Germany, however, was the size, the intensity and the pride. Sweden played well, but Germany played like a team that won the World Cup recently.
– It was a very tough match for us, says Ludvig Håkanson. They come out hard and are on the verge of a foul every minute. We tried to stay close all the time, but they had scouted us very well and we can’t really solve it.
Most important for Germany was that David Krämer received support. At Hovet, the Germans managed only 3 points from bench players, but that figure was 26 points better on Monday night. Nor was a single player responsible for the production, but it was 11 points from Christian Sengfelder, 10 points from Jack Kayil and 5 points from Malte Delow.
The second half came with offensive rebounds
Even though Germany’s lead cautiously grew bigger and bigger, Sweden was never really outdone. Pantzar and Njie got to the basket at the right times, and when nothing else worked, the Swedes were able to draw fouls on the Germans that resulted in free throws, where the payout for the evening was 80 percent. The Swedish hope was to stay within reach so that Ludvig Håkanson could take over and do as he usually does.
But the German attrition finally paid off. Five offensive rebounds in the third period, six in the fourth, and although the German shot advantage was not as impressive as on Friday (78-57), Germany still got 16 more shot attempts than Sweden thanks to the rebounding.
– Germany are incredibly big, both in rebounding and defence, says Ludvig Håkanson. I know this coach and know that he thinks rebounding is incredibly important.
The result was a German victory that never had any real nerve in it. The mistakes that opened the door for Sweden at Hovet never appeared in Heidelberg and Germany was able to routinely secure its second win in the European Championship qualifiers.
Other in Group D: Montenegro beats Bulgaria
At most, the Bulgarians led by 13 points at home against Montenegro, but the visitors were eventually able to turn around and win 90-86. This means that Bulgaria is stuck in fourth and last place in Group D, which is the only team that will not be allowed to go to EuroBasket 2025. Bulgaria’s next match, it will be played on Thursday, February 20 against Sweden, a match that could be absolutely decisive for the qualifying tickets.
For Sweden, a 19-point loss in Heidelberg can leave a certain bitterness on the tongue, but looking at the whole of the last four days, it cannot be called anything other than a triumph.
– We had all signed on to get a win with us from this window, says Ludvig Håkanson.
Germany – Sweden, 80 – 61 (23-19, 18-12, 19-17, 20-13)
Points, Sweden: Barra Njie 15, Melwin Pantzar 14, Ludvig Håkanson 9, Viktor Gaddefors 6, Simon Birgander 5, Denzel Andersson 5, Christopher Czerapowicz 4, Adam Ramstedt 3.
Text: Johannes Grufstedt
A Revenge-Hungry Germany Decimates Sweden in Heidelberg
Germany came to settle a score and left Heidelberg wearing victory like a new jacket, defeating Sweden in an emotional showdown that ended 80-61.
In what was supposed to be an exhilarating Olympic rollercoaster, we were instead presented with a rather tepid ride. Capitan Johannes Thiemann led the charge, scoring 16 points and reeling in 8 offensive rebounds. You’d think he was auditioning for “The Glass Cleaner”. Germany wasn’t just playing basketball; they were serving a healthy slice of revenge on a silver platter with a side of sweet, sweet retribution.
For a moment, it seemed like Sweden conjured the powers of Thor—there were whispers of a thunderbolt ready to strike. Die-hard fans marveled at what they thought was the dawning of a Swedish basketball renaissance. But when Andreas Obst failed to appear, one couldn’t help but feel it was less “The Avengers” and more “The Expendables.”
Melwin Pantzar attempted to do his best homework on David Krämer, channeling his inner A+ student. But, alas, dropping free throws and cleaning up rebounds—as easy as sorting washing—couldn’t mask the ominous tidal wave of German intensity that crashed onto the court.
Germany’s Depth Pays Dividends
“Tough match,” said Ludvig Håkanson with the solemnity of a man who just finished a yoga retreat and tripped during his final downward dog. “They come out hard and are on the verge of a foul every minute.” Well, there you have it—Germany, the defensive juggernaut, prying free throws from Swedish hands like a kid snatching candy on Halloween.
But let’s be honest: it wasn’t just a one-man show for the Germans. The bench players came to play, contributing 26 points, a stark contrast to the meager 3 points they mustered in their previous outing. It was as if they were stashed away behind the sofa, but glad they found the will to join the party. Christian Sengfelder, Jack Kayil, and Malte Delow all joined the scoring spree, proving that when it comes to basketball, teamwork might actually make the dream work—unless you’re Swedish.
Rebounds, Resilience, and Routine Victory
As the second half unfolded, Germany’s lead grew incrementally—a mathematical certainty, like how you know that rain in England is always just around the corner. Germany dialed up the rebounding game to eleven. By the time the dust settled, they snatched a whopping 16 more shot attempts than Sweden, proving that size—and a bit of elbow grease—does matter. Håkanson lamented, “Germany are incredibly big, both in rebounding and defense,” and he wasn’t just refering to the fans at Oktoberfest, folks.
The final result? A German victory that glided in smoothly without any real drama or nail-biting moments. The errant mistakes that left the door ajar in their previous match evaporated like bad breath after a breath mint, and Germany calmly sauntered into a hard-won second victory in the European Championship qualifiers.
Group D: Montenegro Shows Resilience Against Bulgaria
In a parallel universe, Bulgaria somehow held a 13-point lead against Montenegro—only to watch it transform into a stunning 90-86 defeat. Bulgaria now occupies the dark corner of Group D, the only squad not destined for EuroBasket 2025. Their next tussle is against Sweden on February 20, a match that could dance on the very edge of “do or die.”
For Sweden, a 19-point loss stings like a slap on the back from an unaware friend. But if we step back and review the last four days, it’s hard to overlook the success they experienced—think of it as getting a participation trophy when you barely showed up to the game.
“We had all signed on for a win to take with us from this window,” Håkanson stated while sending a glare towards cozy settings with multiple TVs. Next time, maybe less studying of the opponents and a bit more focus on their own game plan! And so goes the game of basketball, full of unexpected turns, ups, downs, and a few cringe-worthy moments along the way.
Final Score: Germany – Sweden, 80 – 61 (23-19, 18-12, 19-17, 20-13)
Points Summary for Sweden: Barra Njie 15, Melwin Pantzar 14, Ludvig Håkanson 9, Viktor Gaddefors 6, Simon Birgander 5, Denzel Andersson 5, Christopher Czerapowicz 4, Adam Ramstedt 3.
Text by Johannes Grufstedt, or shall we say, the prophet of sports commentary.
In a determined display of basketball prowess, Germany claimed victory over Sweden in Heidelberg, winning all four quarters thanks to captain Johannes Thiemann’s impressive contributions of 16 points and 8 offensive rebounds. As a result, the upcoming February window will be crucial for Sweden’s progression in the qualifiers.
For an extended period, it appeared that Sweden’s momentum might endure, as Friday’s promising performance seemed to suggest a newfound consistency. The anticipated threat from Andreas Obst failed to manifest, and by the time Melwin Pantzar had acquainted himself with David Krämer’s game, Sweden capitalized on their free throw opportunities while also decisively cleaning up the rebounds that Germany relinquished — both areas of noted improvement since their earlier matchup.
Germany’s undeniable advantages remained evident, including their physicality, intensity, and sense of national pride. While Sweden exhibited commendable performance, Germany showcased the skill and cohesion typical of a team with recent World Cup success.
– It was a very challenging match for us, acknowledges Ludvig Håkanson. Germany approached the game with great tenacity, consistently pressing near the foul line. We endeavored to keep pace, but they had conducted thorough scouting, leaving us struggling to adapt.
The key for Germany was the substantial support that David Krämer received from his teammates. In their previous encounter at Hovet, bench players contributed a mere 3 points, but on this occasion, they exploded for an impressive 26 points. Notably, the production was shared across the squad, featuring 11 points from Christian Sengfelder, 10 from Jack Kayil, and 5 from Malte Delow.
The second half came with offensive rebounds
As Germany’s lead steadily widened throughout the game, Sweden displayed resilience, remaining competitive. Pantzar and Njie timed their drives to the basket perfectly, and when other strategies faltered, they adeptly drew fouls, resulting in a solid 80 percent free throw rate. Sweden aimed to maintain proximity on the scoreboard, allowing Ludvig Håkanson the opportunity to capitalize with his signature performances.
Ultimately, Germany’s relentless approach began to bear fruit. They secured five offensive rebounds in the third quarter and six more in the fourth, giving them 16 additional shot attempts compared to Sweden despite the disparity not being as stark as in their previous game (78-57).
– Germany are remarkably size-efficient, both in terms of rebounding and defensive capabilities, remarks Ludvig Håkanson. I am familiar with their coach and can attest to his emphasis on the crucial role of rebounding.
The outcome was a comfortable win for Germany, devoid of the tension that characterized their previous encounter. The mistakes that opened a door for Sweden in the earlier match vanished in Heidelberg, enabling Germany to secure their second win in the European Championship qualifiers with consistency.
Other in Group D: Montenegro beats Bulgaria
Montenegro managed to overcome a 13-point deficit against Bulgaria, ultimately winning 90-86 in a dramatic comeback. This result leaves Bulgaria languishing in fourth place in Group D, marking them as the only team unable to qualify for EuroBasket 2025. Bulgaria’s next critical matchup is scheduled for Thursday, February 20 against Sweden, a game that could significantly impact their quest for qualification.
For Sweden, a bitter 19-point defeat in Heidelberg does linger, yet when reflecting on the entirety of the last four days, the overall experience must be regarded as a success.
– We had all signed on to get a win with us from this window, states Ludvig Håkanson.
Germany – Sweden, 80 – 61 (23-19, 18-12, 19-17, 20-13)
Points, Sweden: Barra Njie 15, Melwin Pantzar 14, Ludvig Håkanson 9, Viktor Gaddefors 6, Simon Birgander 5, Denzel Andersson 5, Christopher Czerapowicz 4, Adam Ramstedt 3.
Text: Johannes Grufstedt
How can Sweden turn their defeat into a learning opportunity for future matches in the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers?
Second half alone, which translated into crucial second-chance points that further extended their lead. The physicality of Germany was evident, dominating both the boards and the defensive end. By the time the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that Germany’s strategy of depth and defense paid off handsomely.
Sweden’s loss didn’t take away from their overall journey in the qualifiers. Ludvig Håkanson, although disappointed, remained optimistic about their next clash against Bulgaria. “We need to take this experience and learn from it. There are always lessons in defeat,” he reflected, emphasizing the importance of resilience in competitive sports.
For Bulgaria, their fate remains uncertain as they face a do-or-die situation against Sweden in the upcoming match. With only one qualifying ticket left up for grabs, tensions are sure to escalate, making every moment crucial. As for Germany, their solid win not only boosts their confidence but also solidifies their pathway towards EuroBasket 2025, leaving them eager for continued success.
As the qualifiers progress, the stakes get higher, and the drama intensifies—it’s basketball at its finest.
