BOTEVGRAD, BULGARIA – Germany won the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, but Bulgaria didn't flinch. They defeated the world champions in Botevgrad, taking both teams to 1 win and 1 loss in FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifying Group D.
The match ended 67-62, proving once again how tough Bulgaria's lush arena is on its home court. Germany held a 15-point lead early on, but could not protect it.
turning point: When Gordie Herbert's team opened the game with a 19-4 lead, it looked like the game would be a one-way street. However, Rosen Tsvetkov Baruchovsky had other ideas, and his team talks after the first and third quarters were key to this game.
The team responded to this, holding Germany to an eight-point difference in the second round, and winning the final round by 11 points. When it was needed most, Bulgaria's Cody Miller-McIntyre had ice running through his veins, winning two possessions between the teams with back-to-back attacks in the final moments.
Game protagonist: Miller McIntyre is already a fan favorite in Bulgaria. Some would have thought Cody couldn't get any better after his 21-point debut against Sweden, but they were wrong, as he stepped up to the next level against the world champions.
He recorded 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, giving him an efficiency of 21 and a +12 rating for the Bulgarian team he played in.
Statistics don't lie: Germany committed 21 turnovers, paving the way for Bulgaria to win 27-13 off turnovers.
Conclusion: Both teams are currently 1-1, with a home win and an away loss in February. In November, the teams will play home and away again, with Germany facing Sweden and Bulgaria facing Montenegro.
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