Key match in Okinawa

At the 2023 Basketball World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines, the first tickets for the intermediate round will be awarded on Sunday. The top two teams from each of the eight groups of four will advance one round. The result between the two teams that move on to the next round together will then be taken. In our Germany vs. Australia betting tips, it is clear that this match is therefore a key match.

In the run-up, it was said that Group E is perhaps the toughest pool in the preliminary round. Australia is considered the favorite, Germany is expected to do a lot, but Finland also has great qualities. Only the host from Japan should have no chance. After the first day of play, the Germans and Australians are both at the top of the standings with a win.

The DBB giants must certainly not take the duel against Finland on Tuesday lightly, but in all probability a success in the duel between Olympic bronze medalist Australia and European Championship bronze medalist Germany will bring a preliminary decision about the group victory. If these two teams advance to the next round, a win on Sunday would be a milestone towards the quarter-finals, because these points also count for the ranking in the next round.

The Aussies have been more convincing than the German team in the first match and therefore we would agree with this assessment at first sight and rather give a prediction on a victory of Brian Goorjian’s team in the match between Germany and Australia.

Germany – statistics & current form

The German team enters this World Cup by no means as underdogs. With fun and joy should be built on the success at the European Championship from last year. Quite a few experts claim that it is the best German squad ever in basketball. However, these advance laurels will have to be filled with life on Sunday at the latest. The match against the Australians is something of a test of maturity.

Clear success at the World Cup opener

After all, the first compulsory task against the hosts from Japan was solved with ease on Friday. Already at halftime the match was over at 53:31. However, Gordon Herbert’s team was far from being able to build on this strong first 20 minutes in the second half. Against the Japanese, who were overmatched in all respects, it was still enough for an 81:63 victory.

Moritz Wagner of the Orlando Magic was especially convincing. Although he was not in the starting five, he was still the best German in all statistics. In the end, he had 25 points, nine rebounds and five assists. But there was also a drop of bitterness. Franz Wagner twisted his ankle in the last quarter. A precise diagnosis will only be available after the MRI. At best, it is only a small sprain of the ankle. At the very least, it should not be an injury that would mean retirement from the World Cup. Perhaps on his 22nd birthday against the Australians can already play again.

What is clear is that it will be a completely different game on Sunday. The Australians are a completely different caliber than the Japanese and if Gordon Herbert’s team wants to reap something, they will have to be fully concentrated for all four quarters. However, we think the DBB giants will suffer a setback on Sunday and would rather play the odds on an Australian success between Germany and Australia.

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

Australia – Statistics & current form

Australia is a real force in basketball. The Boomers were in the semifinals at the World Cup in China in 2019 and repeated this feat at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. There, they even managed to win the bronze medal. In addition, the men from Down Under won the last two editions of the Asian Championship. Brian Goorjian’s team is not one of the favorites at this tournament for nothing.

Boomers with plenty of NBA experience

This is also because the Australians have an extremely experienced team. After the United States, the Boomers have the most players from the NBA on the roster with nine. Even Canada has fewer players from the best league in the world in its lineup. If these Australian stars bring what they are capable of on Sunday, then it remains our assessment that between Australia and Germany a prediction of a victory for the Olympic bronze medalist is inevitable.

However, the first World Cup match showed that the Australian team is also quite vulnerable and has only come into the tournament with teething problems. Against Finland, the Boomers needed one and a half quarters before they were fully there. At that point, they were trailing Finland by eight points. From then on, however, the Australian NBA bandwagon was unstoppable. After a 15:2 run, the Australians already led 45:40 at the break. In the second half, Brian Goorjian’s team continuously expanded the cushion and in the end won in outstanding fashion with 98:72.

It was a real demonstration of strength. At the same time, the rates of 47 percent of two-point shots and only 29 percent from outside were still clearly improvable. Patty Mills was the decisive man for the Boomers with 25 points and eight rebounds. However, young Josh Giddey and Joe Ingles also impressed. With four wins in a row recently, the Australians have built up the broad chest they will need against Germany.

Predicted lineup of Australia:
Daniels, Thybulle, Giddey, Goulding, Mills, Green, Ingles, Cooks, Exum, White, Kay, Reath – Coach: Goorjian

Germany – Australia Direct comparison / H2H balance

Eight times the ways of the national teams from Germany and Australia have faced each other so far. The direct comparison is a clear affair for the Boomers, who are 6-2 ahead after victories. Germany won a test match in Berlin in 1999 and triumphed in another friendly comparison in 2019.

However, the competitive matches have always gone to the team from Down Under, for example at the Olympic Games in Munich, Los Angeles and Barcelona and at the 2010 World Cup in Turkey. The last encounter was at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In the preliminary round, Australia, led by a convincing Patty Mills, prevailed 89-76.

Germany – Australia Tip

This duel is already about the starting position in the quarterfinals, maybe even about the chances to reach the semifinals. Therefore, it is the match in which there are no excuses for both teams. At the moment, we expect Germany and Australia to advance to the main round, so we will take the result from this match.

The Boomers made the better impression in the first match. Against Finland, the team from Down Under needed a quarter of an hour before they were fully in the game, but then they were completely convincing. For the DBB Giants it was the other way around after a good start, which is why Gordon Herbert’s team failed to carry the mood until the siren.

We think that less than 171.5 points will be scored. The Australians are very strong on defense. Germany also played very concentrated defensively. In addition, both teams still have throwing rates that can be improved. In the end, however, we are not betting on the score, but have decided to play the betting odds on a handicap win (-2.5 points) for the Boomers between Germany and Australia.