DBB giants with mandatory victory against the host?

Seldom has the anticipation among German basketball fans for a World Cup probably been greater than this year. That’s because the DBB giants, who finished third in last year’s European Championships, now have good prospects of competing for medals at the World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. A win at the start would be extremely important for the mood in the team. However, our Germany vs. Japan tip shows that Gordon Herbert’s team should probably take the first points.

There are certainly groups in this preliminary round where advancing should be much easier. The host from Japan is the big underdog. Finland, however, could prove to be an unpleasant stumbling block and the Australians, like the German team, are considered a contender for precious metal. The first two teams in this group of four will advance to the intermediate round.

For the time being, however, the German team should only concern itself with the first opponent. The Japanese Five Reds have never won anything at World Championships or Olympic Games. In all likelihood, they will have to play on in the placement round after the group stage. Three defeats should almost certainly be factored in at the co-hosts.

This means, conversely, that the first prediction between Germany and Japan must clearly go to a German victory. If we believe the odds at betting provider Betano, then a German success is merely a question of the amount. The art in this match is to find the right handicap to play the maximum quotes. There is certainly no doubt about a German victory.

Germany – statistics & current form

Germany has a real good national basketball team again. In 2019, it didn’t look like it when they only finished 18th at the World Cup in China. However, they then managed to qualify for the Olympic Games and reached the quarterfinals in Tokyo. At last year’s European Championships at home, Gordon Herbert’s team secured a medal at the continental championships for only the third time ever. The German hoopers are now looking to build on that achievement on the world stage in the Far East.

Squad stronger than at the home European Championships

Looking at the squad, the German team should be even stronger than last summer. Differences around Maximilian Kleber and his non-nomination have been resolved. The spirit in the team should be outstanding. This also became clear in the test matches, in which Germany was almost completely convincing. There were clear victories against Sweden, China and Greece.

Germany managed to win against Canada, but they also lost against the Maple Leafs, another team that is highly regarded at the World Cup, after extra time. In the dress rehearsal against the USA, it looked for a long time as if Germany would be able to win against the World Cup favorites. Gordon Herbert’s team even led by 16 points at one point.

In the end, the United States won 99-91, but this game showed that the German team doesn’t have to hide from any team in the world. Now we have to bring this knowledge onto the field in the preliminary round in Okinawa. If they can do that, we’ll be looking at the odds for a double-digit handicap win for the DBB giants in the match between Germany and Japan, which could be described as a prelude to a perfect start.

Projected lineup of Germany:
Bonga, Giffey, Hollatz, Krämer, Lo, Obst, Schröder, Theis, Thiemann, Voigtmann, F. Wagner, M. Wagner – Coach: Herbert

Japan – Statistics & current form

The Japanese would probably have had a very hard time qualifying for the World Cup on sporting terms. At the FIBA Asia Cup last year, for example, they only managed seventh place. At the Olympic Games the year before, where the Five Reds were also only allowed to play as hosts, they only finished second to last. Now the top is closer together in basketball as well, but don’t make the Japanese bigger than they are.

Last World Cup win 17 years ago

The last time Japan won a World Cup, for example, was 17 years ago. There too, Japan was the host, secured only one win against Panama in five games and was eliminated in the preliminary round. History is repeating itself here and there. We are convinced that the preliminary round will be a mammoth task for the hosts and even before the match between Germany and Japan, we are predicting that Tom Hovasse’s team will bow out with three defeats in the placement round.

The preparation has shown that the Japanese can not keep up with the strong European teams over the full game time. Against France they lost by 18 points. In the last test against Slovenia, things got really clear. The Five Reds lost 68-103. It is therefore to be feared that the Japanese could also suffer a nasty defeat at their World Cup opener against Germany.

With Yuta Watanabe, coach Tom Hovasse has only one player from the NBA at his disposal. The small forward from the Phoenix Suns has been ailing lately. However, he will almost certainly be part of the team for the World Cup opener. The same cannot be said for Rui Hachimura. The actual top star of the Japanese team has cancelled the World Cup in order to prepare for the upcoming series in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Predicted lineup of Japan:
Togashi, Baba, Kawamata, Inoue, Hiejima, Hara, Tominaga, Watanabe, Kawamura, Hawkinson, Yoshii, Nishida – Coach: Hovasse

Germany – Japan Direct comparison / H2H balance

To date, there have been just four direct duels between the selection teams from Germany and Japan. In 1982, the German team was a guest in the Far East for two matches and won twice very clearly at that time. There was also a match at the 2006 World Cup, also in Japan. The German basketball team secured an 81:70 victory in the preliminary round.

However, the record of the DBB giants is by no means flawless. In the last match, they were beaten by the Japanese. In a friendly match, the Five Reds won 86-83, although even then they were the big underdogs. In the meantime, however, the German team in particular has developed in the direction of the world’s top team.

Germany – Japan Tip

For Japan as host already the participation in this world championship is a big deal. One should not be so presumptuous in the land of the rising sun and assume a successful tournament. Finland, Australia and Germany should be a number too big. This was also shown in the last test matches, in which the Five Reds lost to Slovenia, among others, with a difference of 35 points.

We assume that there will also be a clear defeat against the European Championship third, but do not expect it to be as clear as against the Slovenians. It is possible that not so many baskets will be shot because the Japanese might have problems with the German defense.

There is no way around a German victory if they want to be one of two Europeans to qualify for the Olympics in Paris and compete for medals at the World Championships. Therefore, we expect Gordon Herbert’s team to be extremely focused and that’s why we decided to play the betting odds on a German handicap win (-17.5 points) between Germany and Japan.