Pic credit: FIBA

Germany needed no rude awakenings in Slovenia as the U-20 team came prepared for their first game at the 2026 Euro against Italy. After a tight first quarter, Germany then broke open the game in the second quarter to maintain a comfortable 49-33 lead at the break. In the second half, they maintained the lead well leading by more than 20 points to outscore Italy 36-33 in the second half to win the game. Germany had 3 guys score in double figures led by Jena forward Daniel Biel (195-F-2007) with a double double 17/10r, Nicolas Kodjoe added 16 points and Davi Remagen 13 points. Germany had a rapid start into the game taking the early 10-2 lead. Germany didn´t waste anytime letting it fly from the parking lot as Ludwigsburg guard Julis Baumer, FC Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Kodjoe and Rostock big man Bruno Loll all connected from downtown. Germany defended aggressively and secured the defensive rebound well. However Italy woke up getting their offense going sparked by Stefano Trucchetti from Carpegna Prosciutto Basket Pesaro (Serie A2) sparking a 11-0 run and 8 points including 2 three´s. It would be a back and forth until the first quarter buzzer sounded with a few lead changes. Germany was very aggressive getting to the hole well as Erfurt guard Musa Abra and Alba Berlin big man Amon Dorries scored lay in´s. Jena forward Daniel Biel used his explosiveness getting a bucket on transition for the 26-24 Germany lead after 10 minutes.

In the second quarter Italy came out hot getting consecutive three´s from Matheo Accorsi from Virtus Segafredo Bologna and Achille Lonati from AX Armani Exchange Milano for the 33-31 Italy lead. Germany´s head coach Mario Dugandzic then took a time out. This woke Germany up. Germany then totally ripped apart Italy going on a 19-0 run to close out the first hal to lead 49-33. Germany was super aggressive attacking the rim getting baskets or free throws. Daniel Biel began the attack with 2 lay in´s while ex RheinStar guard Davi Remagen made 6 free throws and Wurzburg guard Jervis Scheffs hit a trey. Italy had their chances with offensive rebounds, but simply couldn´t buy a bucket. Germany was defending with authority not allowing easy looks while continuing to rebound well.

In the third quarter Germany continued to manage the lead well leading by as much as 20 points and leading 69-54 after 30 minutes. A 9-2 run by Germany allowed them to lead by 20 points early in the second half. Germany showed their versatility getting back to their long ball unloading 3 three´s in a row by Biel and two three´s by Kodjoe who continued to show that he had made steps with his shot now which was only at 29% in the Pro B last season. After a bucket from Theo Airhienbuwa from Dolomiti Energia Trentino (Serie A), Germany struck back again with their delicate scoring in bunches going on a 9-0 run to lead 66-39. In the run, it was the magic of 3 level scorer Daniel Biel who produced 7 points with a trey, lay in and free throws. It seemed like Italy was out of game for sure, but they never gave up going on a 10-1 run and outscored Germany 15-3 to end the third quarter. Accorsi, Lonati and Trucchetti once again found their range knocking home three´s.

In the fourth quarter, both teams took their feet off the gas pedal as there was less scoring produced. Germany buckled down on defense and defended until the buzzer sounded never losing focus and allowed only 13 points. A 9-3 run to begin from Germany pretty much sealed the win as Germany led 78-57 as Kodjoe showed again how lethal of a scorer he can be when he has to. When you had guys like Dominik Dolic and Marko Volf as teammates in Munich, it wasn´t always easy to get into a scoring groove, but with team Germany he can show his scoring qualities. Accorsi got hot in crunch time nailing home 7 points and displaying his 3 level scoring qualities, but it was too little to late as Germany rode home with the win. Germany was led By Daniel Biel with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Nicoals Kodjoe added 16 points while Italy was led by Matteo Accorsi with 15 points while Achille Lonati added 13 points. Germany shot 38% from the field and 33% from outside and had 53 rebounds and 15 turnovers while Italy shot 32% from the field and 32% from outside and had 39 rebounds and 13 turnovers.