Pic credit: Fiba

After sustaining that unneeded and unwanted first belly flop in the first game against Italy, Germany retreated and returned back 24 hours later and served up the perfect dive destroying Israel 77-56 and won their first game at the U-18 European Championships. Germany didn´t waste anytime, but came out totally recharged and made a statement right away on the defensive end which carried over for 40 minutes. Germany didn´t shoot well again, but that didn´t matter, because they sparkled with their defensive intensity and consistency for 40 minutes. They allowed only 23 points in the first half and had a massive 19 point lead at the break from which Israel couldn´t recover from. As in the first game German Mathieu Grujicic (196-G-2007) led the charge again in the scoring department with 23 points while Fynn Lastring continued to be a beast on the boards showing that like Hannes Steinbach, he can also dominate as his stat line read 19/16. Frankfurt Skyliner Ivan Crnjac was impressive showing his versatile game with 15/7/2 stats and Daniel Biel was like a Swiss army knife with a 11/7/3/1/1 game. Germany as usual dominated the boards 50-35 and had the 16/3 offensive rebound advantage. “Germany controlled the game from start to finish with disciplined execution and superior defensive structure. After a tight first quarter, they broke the game open with a dominant 28–13 second quarter, driven by low-post efficiency, second-chance points, and key contributions from Grujicic, Biel, Crnjac, and Lastring. Germany’s consistent, connected defense—limiting paint touches, contesting shots, and controlling the glass—was the defining factor in their victory”, stressed ratiopharm Ulm U-19 head coach Florian Flabb.

Germany came out calm and executed well on offense right off the bat. 2023 JBBL (U-16) champion Mathieu Grujcic got hot right away and showed his scoring in bunches making a pull up jumper and lay in on the fast break. Grujicic is the Christian Anderson of the U-18 team in that he leads on the floor and is a scoring machine. 2025 NBBL MVP Ivan Crnjac added a three pointer for insurance and the quick 7-2 Germany lead. Matan Streit of Hapoel Gilboa Galil (Winner League) hit a trey as Germany had the narrow 7-5 advantage at the 7,33 mark. Germany then allowed only 4 more points while Israel also didn´t defend badly allowing 7 points as Germany had the 14-9 lead after 10 minutes. Daniel Biel and Fynn Lastring connected on three´s keeping Israel at bay.” It was a scrappy, defense-heavy first quarter, driven by strong starts from Mathieu Grujicic and Daniel Biel, who combined scoring and playmaking to control tempo. Germany controlled the tempo through various low-post actions offensively, using interior touches to create both scoring opportunities and kick-outs, which stabilized their half-court rhythm. On defense, they limited paint touches for Israel, forcing them into low-percentage perimeter attempts and disrupting dribble penetration. Germany’s structured offense and rebounding edge (25 total) gave them composure early on. Israel struggled with shooting (29.6% FG, 1/6 3PT) and ball security. Overall, Germany’s interior-oriented approach, defensive discipline, and rebounding presence gave them a slim but deserved early lead”, stressed Florian Flabb.

In the second quarter Germany took control of the game heightening their offensive execution scoring 28 points while on defense still stayed strong and only allowed 14 points to get the rout going. Germany got going right away going on a 14-4 run to extend their slim lead to a commanding 30-15 advantage. In the run Germany was led by Mathieu Grujicic who played like a veteran under control something he learned with the Alba Berlin and FC Barcelona organizations. He added 9 points in the shell shocking run with 2 buckets on transition and 4 free throws remaining in attack mode at all times. Germany continued to stay solid on defense and execute well on offense sharing the love around as Biel and Lastring scored. Germany had some misfortune at the end allowing 3 free throws to Ari Amiel. “Germany dominated the second quarter 28–13, turning a tight game into a 20-point halftime lead. They combined disciplined low-post execution with faster tempo and strong contributions from Grujicic, Biel, and Crnjac. Defensively, Germany tightened pressure, limited paint touches, and controlled the glass. Israel struggled with turnovers and poor shot selection. The quarter marked a decisive momentum shift in Germany’s favor”, stated Florian Flabb.

In the third quarter Israel actually won it 18-17, but still couldn´t gain any ground trailing 59-41 to Germany. Germany continued to execute well getting great production from the universal genius Ivan Crnjac who added 8 points in the first few minutes. He dominated with his athleticism finding his spots and getting to the rim. Germany also got a floater from Lastring and a key trey from Jamie Edoka of Frankfurt who has still been quiet in the first 2 games and due for a real break out soon. Germany led 56-31 and the game had become more of just a rout. However Israel didn´t let the game worse. Instead they showed some heart and closed out the third quarter strong with a 10-3 run to trail 59-41. Ari Amiel added 5 points in the attack including another 3/3 from the free throw line while 208cm big man David Musis of Ramat Hasharon (National League) made a lay in, while guard Ron Dandiker made a dunk on transition and Or Frenkel of Hapoel Yehuda Tel Aviv made a lay in on transition. “Fynn Lastring was a key factor in the period, providing scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence that helped Germany maintain control on both ends. Israel showed some early promise with Spain pick-and-roll actions and increased ball pressure, briefly disrupting Germany’s rhythm. However, their offensive execution faded quickly, and they continued to struggle from three (1/8 total) and lacked consistent half-court creation. Germany’s discipline and interior control ultimately shut down Israel’s momentum heading into the fourth”, added Florian Flabb.

There was no let up in the fourth quarter for Germany as they continued to execute well on offense scoring 18 points while on defense stayed steady not allowing any big game changing run. Frankfurt rebounded well from the 10-3 run of Israel in the wanning minutes of the third quarter and shot back with a lethal 7-0 run to gain the momentum back again. Lastring began with a floater, Crnjac hit his second trey of the game and Grujicic drove to the hoop and scored giving Germany the 66-41 lead with 8,23 to play. Frenkel then made a lay in and Grujicic hit a trey for the 69-43 lead with 7,21 to play. Germany had the commanding lead and nothing was going to rattle them now. Israel had nothing to lose and closed out the game 13-8. Musis scored 4 points as did Alon Rachlin of Hapoel Shlomo Tel-Aviv (Winner League). Frankfurt Skyliner Jamie Edoka remained aggressive using his biggest weapon the drive and scored twice. All in all Germany came back and made a statement and now will face Bulgaria on Monday. “In the fourth quarter, Germany came out sharp and their quick 7:0 run, immediately extinguished any hopes of an Israeli comeback. They played with poise and discipline offensively, executing their sets with patience and taking excellent care of the ball. By minimizing turnovers and maintaining their defensive intensity, Germany controlled the pace and steadily extended their already commanding lead”, added Florian Flabb, Germany was led by Mathieu Grujicic with 23 points while Fynn Lastring scored 19 points and Ivan Crnjac 15 points while Israel was led by Or Frenkel with 10 points. Germany shot 37% from the field and 24% from outside and had 50m rebounds and 10 turnovers while Israel shot 36% from the field and 13% from outside and had 35 rebounds and 12 turnovers.