Germany made history by reaching its first-ever World Cup final, holding off the United States 111-113 in a thrilling semifinal on Friday in Manila, Philippines. FC Bayern Munich sharpshooter Andreas Obst had one of the best games of his career, scoring 15 of his game-high 24 points in the second half. Obst knocked down 4 of 8 triples and also dished 6 assists, leading Germany to a final date with Serbia on Sunday.
Germany had been 0-6 against USA in World Cup and Olympics competition until Friday. Its victory means that two European teams will square off in the World Cup final for the first time since Spain beat Greece in 2006. Germany features seven Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players and Serbia six.
It was a high scoring first half as Obst netted a pair of triples and scored 9 points while Germany opened with a 15-25 lead. But USA caught up already in the first quarter before Anthony Edwards put them in front 41-39 in the second.
In a run-and-gun affair, Germany soon restored a slim lead as Johannes Voigtmann of EA7 Armani Exchange Milan had an all-round contribution with 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. But as two teams traded blows, it was USA that took 60-59 in to halftime behind 15 points apiece from Edwards and Mikal Bridges.