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Germany fall to Ukraine

Paddy HiggsSeptember 6, 2013

Germany failed to capitalize on its bright start to Eurobasket 2013 by losing 88-83 to Ukraine on Friday. The loss leaves Germany with one win from three matches, with two games remaining.

Maxym Korniyenko of Ukraine defends against Germany's Robin Benzing. Germany fell 88-83 to put their knockout round chances in doubt. Photo: Getty Images
Image: Getty Images

Frank Menz's side paid the price for a desperately poor second quarter in which they were outscored 24 to 14, as Germany struggled to limit the influence of Ukraine guard Sergiy Gladyr.

Gladyr sunk 11 of his game-high 25 points in the decisive term, which was the only quarter Ukraine won for the match.

Germany slumped to their second-straight loss at the tournament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, despite the efforts of Heiko Schaffartzik.

The Bayern Munich guard scored 22 points and racked up 11 assists, with forwards Robin Benzing (18 points) and Niels Giffey (16) - the latter off the bench - providing offensive support.

But the impressive individual performances are not enough to markedly improve Germany's standings in Group A.

FIBA's 13th-ranked nation pulled off a superb shock 80-74 win over France in their tournament opener, but followed it up with a loss to Belgium before slumping to Ukraine.

A clash with Great Britain on Sunday will prove decisive in their bid to reach the knockout stages as one of the group's top-three nations. Germany then take on winless Israel in their final group match, on Monday.

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