Playing for a national team can often lead to some rather curious images on the court, such as two players from rival club teams embracing after a big play or at the final buzzer. Well, for ALBA Berlin power forward Johannes Thiemann and FC Bayern Munich small forward Isaac Bonga, they put aside their club rivalry in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and thoroughly impressed in Germany's 101-75 victory over Finland at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Okinawa, Japan.
As a result of that win, Germany improved its record in the first phase of the tournament to 3-0, which sets it up nicely entering the second round. Thiemann was named the player of the game against Finland after recording 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and a game high +19 in the plus-minus column. Bonga, meanwhile, posted 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.