Gordon Herbert addressed the media in a press conference following the quarterfinal game of the FIBA World Cup between Germany and Latvia.
Germany, in what was one of the most challenging matches of the tournament, secured a hard-fought victory against Latvia with a score of 81:79, despite Davis Bertans having a game-winning shot opportunity that did not find its mark.
“Two months ago, when I said that Latvia is one of the best teams in Europe, nobody talked about it. They played brilliantly, showcasing team basketball, and are led by a fantastic coach. We won, not in the prettiest way; we struggled on the offensive end. I must say our bench was incredible for the fourth game in a row,” Herbert said.
๐บ Germany end Latvia's terrific World Cup run and advance to the Semi-Finals for the first time since 2002!#FIBAWC x #WinForDeutschland ๐ฉ๐ช pic.twitter.com/3rwM6CaTDt
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ๐ (@FIBAWC) September 6, 2023
Herbert acknowledged that Denis Schroder had a subpar performance but expressed no doubt that Schroder would bounce back when needed most: “I have no doubt he’ll bounce back; this was a tough day for him. Some easy shots just didn’t go in. He’s an incredible fighter and competitor, so I really have no doubt that this won’t shake him.”
He also revealed the strength of the German team: “That’s the strength of our team, even when our best player doesn’t perform well, others step up to contribute. Franz Wagner was indeed a significant part of this victory. I must reiterate; for the fourth game in a row, our bench did an incredible job.”
Herbert highlighted areas that need improvement in their game: “Where do I begin? (laughter) Offensively and defensively, there are aspects we need to enhance. Davis Bertans is an incredible shooter, but I have to say we had only ten assists, which is certainly an area we need to improve.”
Despite the challenges faced, Germany’s victory against Latvia demonstrated their resilience and the depth of their team, where different players can step up when needed. As they advance in the tournament, Herbert and the German squad will continue to work on their game, aiming for a spot in the finals.