Germans brace for Serbian assault

Germany is now in a position to accomplish what the great Dirk Nowitzki couldn't do 21 years ago.

One more win for the only remaining undefeated team in the FIBA World Cup and the Germans will finally hoist its first-ever title in its historic final debut.

"I think it's a super special moment for all of us, hopefully for German basketball in general," forward Franz Wagner said after Germany beat the United States, 113-111, in the semifinal Friday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Germans have already surpassed the country's previous best finish when Nowitzki led the team to a bronze medal in 2002 in Indianapolis. The retired National Basketball Association star also won the Most Valuable Player award of that edition.

Germany will face two-time champion Serbia today in the first all-European title showdown since the 2006 championship between Spain and Greece in Japan.

"(This semifinal win) means that we're in the final and we get to play for gold," Wagner said.

Germany has been playing great basketball since the start of the tournament.

Against the US, the Germans recorded the first time the squad had three players with 20 points or more with Wagner posting 20 points, Daniel Theis with 21 and Andreas Obst hitting 24.

Point guard Dennis Schroder, the other hand, is doing a great job orchestrating plays.

But head coach Gordie Herbert firmly reminds his squad not to let the win over the Americans get their minds off the bigger picture.

"We talked about it in the locker room after the game. It's a great win, but we're not where we want to be yet. This group of players wants to win gold," he said.

Wagner and the rest of the Germans know it won't be easy but they will try to blitz their way to get their hands on the Naismith trophy.

"Serbia is really gonna be a tough game," Wagner said.