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.

It is the first time two European teams will square off in the World Cup final since Spain beat Greece in 2006. Germany features seven Turkish Airlines EuroLeague players and Serbia six.

Obst, Germany make it an all-European World Cup final!

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.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">DIE JUNGS HABEN EINE MEDAILLE SICHER! BEI EINER WELTMEISTERSCHAFT! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KoerbeFuerD?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KoerbeFuerD</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeBallTogether?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeBallTogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q2fhXdWtN4">https://t.co/Q2fhXdWtN4</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1700157667270922680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Daniel Theis and Franz Wagner fueled a 4-11 run to open the third quarter as Germany kept up the tempo. Then, Obst got hot again. The Bayern sharpshooter scored 10 more points and dished 3 more assists, leading Germany to an 84-94 advantage after 30 minutes.

Germany led by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter as the scoring slowed down, but Edwards fueled USA's 7-0 run, helping cut the difference to 107-108. Again, Obst stepped up, faking and nailing a three-pointer in the next-to-last minute right before his Bayern teammate Isaac Bonga denied Bridges at the rim. Germany opened a six-point lead and held on for a huge celebration.

Franz Wagner finished with 22 points for the winners. Theis added 21 and Dennis Schroeder had 17 points and 9 assists. ALBA Berlin's Johannes Thiemann contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds, and Voigtmann had 6 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in the historic win.

For Team USA, which will play in a bronze medal game against Canada, Edwards had 23 points and Austin Reaves netted 21.

Serbia has made it to the 2023 World Cup final! Led by Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars, past and present, Serbia downed Canada 95-86 in Manila, Philippines to secure a medal and keep fighting for gold. Many Serbian players stepped up during the game but Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov was arguably his team's main pillar, finishing the game with 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting and 10 rebounds.


Milutinov leads Serbia to the World Cup final!

Serbia has made it to the 2023 World Cup final! Led by Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars, past and present, Serbia downed Canada 95-86 in Manila, Philippines to secure a medal and keep fighting for gold. Many Serbian players stepped up during the game but Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov was arguably his team's main pillar, finishing the game with 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting and 10 rebounds.

This will mark Serbia's first World Cup final since 2014. As part of former Yugoslavia, Serbia won five gold medals and now it has a chance to win the World Cup for the first time as an independent country.

Serbia started the game with two clear goals: run its offense through Milutinov due to his size advantage in the paint and get Canadian superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into early foul trouble. It succeeded in both tasks, as Milutinov led an opening 1-8 run and, once Canada bounced back, Gilgeous-Alexander headed to the bench with 2 fouls.

With Canada struggling to find a new go-to guy, EuroLeague champion Bogdan Bogdanovic and Partizan Mozzart bet guard Aleksa Avramovic fueled an 11-0 run that gave Serbia a 21-13 lead. Bogdanovic got plenty of help from Marko Guduric of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul to boost the Serbian lead to double digits, 33-23.

When Gilgeous-Alexander returned to the floor, Serbia did not panic and went back to its original game plan, feeding Milutinov down low. He delivered with a couple of dunks and a pair of free throws. At halftime, Bogdanovic had 15 points, Milutinov 11 and 6 rebounds. Ognjen Dobric of Virtus Segafredo Bologna scored 10 points by then to give Serbia a 52-39 margin.

 "I have never in my life seen the type of energy that Dobric and Avramovic brought," Guduric said after the game. "We all just tried to follow them and also be aggressive, but it all starts with the two of them. I hope they will sleep well the next two days and be ready for the final."

Canada had made very good halftime adjustments throughout the tournament and the semifinal was no exception. Serbia was ready, however, finding answers on offense through an unstoppable Dobric. Severe foul trouble forced Canada to get out of its usual rotation. Guduric and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz guard Vanja Marinkovic each struck from downtown for a 75-63 Serbian margin at the end of the third quarter. Canada never really recovered, as Bogdanovic made sure his team kept a safe lead until the final buzzer.

Bogdanovic led five players in double digits with 23 points. Dobric added 16, Guduric 12 and Avramovic 10. R.J. Barrett led Canada with 23 points.

Serbia is set to face either Germany or the United States, who go against each other in the second semifinal later on Friday. Germany aims to qualify to its first-ever World Cup final and the USA to challenge for its sixth title.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="qme" dir="ltr">🇷🇸🇷🇸🇷🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Srbija?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Srbija</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/g6UbfbEW1w">pic.twitter.com/g6UbfbEW1w</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1700101941315920087?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

The 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season did not go the way EA7 Emporio Armani Milan planned, so the Italian champs are back with a revamped roster that boasts the type of experience and talent needed to go all the way. Coach Ettore Messina's job will involve making the new pieces fit as soon as possible so that Milan gets off to a strong start. The club has brought in some interesting new names to the roster and among them, one stands out: 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP Nikola Mirotic. 

2023-24 Roster Rundown: EA7 Emporio Armani Milan

The 2022-23 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season did not go the way [EA7 Emporio Armani Milan](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ax-armani-exchange-milan/roster/mil/?season=2023-24) planned, so the Italian champs are back with a revamped roster that boasts the type of experience and talent needed to go all the way. Coach Ettore Messina's job will involve making the new pieces fit as soon as possible so that Milan gets off to a strong start. The club has brought in some interesting new names to the roster and among them, one stands out: 2021-22 EuroLeague MVP [Nikola Mirotic](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-inks-former-euroleague-mvp-nikola-mirotic-until-2026/). 

### BACKCOURT

In the backcourt, Milan has kept most of its engine. [Kevin Pangos](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-brings-in-playmaker-pangos/) will enter his second season with the team, hoping to leave the injuries that slowed him last year in the past. He will be backed by sharpshooter [Billy Baron](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-tabs-sharpshooter-baron/), who averaged 11.0 points in his maiden season in Milan, [Devon Hall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-extends-guard-hall/), who will play his third straight season with the team hoping to boost his numbers to the ones he had in his first, and [Stefano Tonut](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-tabs-guard-tonut/), an experienced Italian guard who made his Milan debut last season. 

One of the newcomers in the backcourt is [Maodo Lo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/maodo-lo-moves-from-alba-berlin-to-olimpia-milano/), a player with seven EuroLeague seasons under his belt with German teams and who will have his first European experience outside that country. Other newcomers to the Milan backcourt include [Diego Flaccadori](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-wraps-up-move-for-diego-flaccadori/) and [Giordano Bortolani](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/giordano-bortolani-heads-back-to-olimpia-milano/). Flaccadori brings in five seasons of EuroCup experience plus two more in the EuroLeague with FC Bayern Munich, and he will be expected to provide depth to the Milan rotation. Bortolani is a young addition who will take on a reserve role. He played in the EuroCup with Germani Brescia in 2020-21.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Week 1 is in the book<a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/insieme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#insieme</a><a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThirdStarTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#ThirdStarTeam</a> <a href=https://t.co/bhJJcigMvz>pic.twitter.com/bhJJcigMvz</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href=https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1697996912882839925?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>September 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset="utf-8"></script>

Moving on to small forward, the name that stands the most is [Shavon Shields](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/shavon-shields-commits-his-future-to-olimpia-milano/), who will start his sixth EuroLeague season and fourth straight in Milan. An injury early last season prevented him from helping his team and he ended up with just 10 appearances overall. Shields will certainly be willing to make up for that in 2023-24, especially after the contract extension he signed over the summer. [Giampaolo Ricci](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-giampaolo-ricci-agree-for-2-more-years/) is another forward who extended his agreement with Milan this summer. He will be looking to increase his role on the team as last season he averaged 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 25 appearances.

### FRONTCOURT

The frontcourt is where we can find more new additions. The one that stands out the most is, of course, Nikola Mirotic. He arrives from FC Barcelona, which he led to three straight Final Fours. Now, the former MVP will become the main propeller on the Milan team, first to take the team back to the Final Four. Last season, Mirotic averaged 15.4 points and 4.3 rebounds with Barca. Another player to switch EuroLeague teams at power forward was [Alex Poythress](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/alex-poythress-completes-move-to-olimpia-milano/), who had a strong season with Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. After three seasons in the EuroLeague, he should be an important factor in Milan. 

[Nicolo Melli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/nicolo-melli/002849/) is ready to take on his eighth EuroLeague season with Milan in his second stint with the club. After the retirement of Luigi Datome, Melli remains the local reference on the team, and he reflects that also on the court as last season he started in 31 of his 32 appearances. He will be the light that will guide this team. 

The best plays of Paris Basketball center Ismael Kamagate, one of the contenders to be named the 7DAYS EuroCup MVP.

Ismael Kamagate | EuroCup MVP candidates

Inside we find another new arrival in center [Ismael Kamagate](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ismael-kamagate-seals-move-to-milan/). The big man comes from Paris Basketball, where last season he turned heads in the EuroCup with his physicality and power. He averaged 9.2 points and 8.4 rebounds plus 1.5 blocks to lead that competition. He will be teamed up with the duo of veterans formed by [Johannes Voigtmann](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/milan-brings-voigtmann-aboard/) and [Kyle Hines](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/kyle-hines-signs-on-for-another-season-with-milan/). A four-time EuroLeague champion, Hines is one of the deans in the league and he still brings on quality minutes. At 37 years old he is one of the most experienced players in the league. 

Voigtmann will be playing his second year in Milan. Last season he averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 boards in over 15 minutes, so expect him to have a bigger role this season. Finally, [Guglielmo Caruso](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/olimpia-milano-inks-big-man-guglielmo-caruso-long-term/) will complete the Milan frontcourt. At age 24, he is set to make his EuroLeague debut this season and will be providing back-up minutes for the most experienced players.

Nikola Mirotic 2022-23 season highlights

### PLAYER TO WATCH

It's no secret that Nikola Mirotic will be drawing most of the attention on this new Milan team. Mirotic was always a determined player, but he never managed to lead Real Madrid or FC Barcelona to the EuroLeague crown, even if he was close a few times. When it was official that he was leaving Barca, the summer market rumors soared and he was placed on many different teams. In the end, Coach Messina convinced Mirotic to join a project that has been built to put Milan back to the top of European basketball. In 2021, Mirotic and his teammates at Barca downed Milan in the Final Four semifinals, but since then, Milan has not returned to the final tournament. The Milan fans will now rely on Mirotic to bring them to Berlin in May. The team has the experience and the talent to do it and with Mirotic's addition, the possibilities increased dramatically.

### OUTLOOK

Milan is in a bit of a tough spot this year. Last season, the team had a tough start and it carried on for a few weeks. Too many, in fact, since when it looked like Milan would start recovering it was already too late to gain the necessary momentum to make the playoffs. That is a major sting for the pride of a team that always aspires to be at the top, especially since the new project with Coach Messina started. With a new season comes a new opportunity. The club has made flashy signings and some others that might not catch your eye at first, but they could prove just as valuable in the long run. With them, Milan will try to show everybody that its 2021 Final Four appearance was no fluke.

Zalgiris Kaunas will have a slightly different look going forward after the club unveiled a brand-new logo at a ceremony at Zalgirio Arena on Thursday.

Zalgiris looks to the future with a new logo

Zalgiris Kaunas will have a slightly different look going forward after the club unveiled a brand-new logo at a ceremony at Zalgirio Arena on Thursday.

This marks the first time in a quarter century that the club has introduced a new logo, though the previous version did undergo some changes in 2005. The new logo is a nod to the club's rich past while looking to the future and always aiming for victory.

It bears some resemblances to its processor in that it retains the same green-and-white checkered pattern and the shield motif. Other than that, the fonts, bold lines and use of a basketball have all been modernized. The numerals 1944, marking the year the club was founded, were also added to the bottom of the new logo. The slogan that was marketed with the logo is: "Outrun ourselves".

In addition to the lucky few who where able to attend the unveiling at the arena, thousands of fans tuned into the live stream on Facebook, where they were treated to a full explanation from the new logo's designers, Synthesis Consulting Group, detailing all that went into the creation of the logo.

<center>
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It is a new-look LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the 2023-24 season. ASVEL kept its core from last campaign and brought in a mixture of aspiring up-and-coming players and seasoned veterans who have been through it all but are still looking for new challenges. ASVEL has not been contending for the playoffs since its return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague five years ago, but this roster has some serious weapons – and more experience than in years past.

2023-24 Roster Rundown: LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne 

It is a new-look LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne for the 2023-24 season. ASVEL kept its core from last campaign and brought in a mixture of aspiring up-and-coming players and seasoned veterans who have been through it all but are still looking for new challenges. ASVEL has not been contending for the playoffs since its return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague five years ago, but this roster has some serious weapons – and more experience than in years past.

### BACKCOURT

ASVEL has a new playmaking duo for the upcoming season with two proven veterans, [Paris Lee](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/paris-lee-signs-for-ldlc-asvel/) and [Boris Dallo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-tabs-point-guard-boris-dallo/), running the point guard position. This will be third consecutive EuroLeague season for Lee, while Dallo returns to the competition for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign. Both men know how to get an offense running and will have loads of firepower around them, starting start with competition icon [Nando De Colo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/de-colo-makes-switch-to-asvel/) and a EuroLeague rookie [Frank Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ldlc-asvel-brings-frank-jackson-from-the-nba/). De Colo needs 230 points to become EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer, and he scored more than that in each of the past nine seasons. Jackson, on the other hand, will take the load of De Colo, having previously averaged double-digits in scoring in the NBA and more than 20 points per game in the G-League.

Focus on: Nando De Colo, LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

There is no reason to believe the two dangerous scorers cannot play alongside each other, and if that will work well, [ASVEL](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/ldlc-asvel-villeurbanne/roster/asv/?season=2023-24)'s offense should be a fun one to watch. Guard [Edwin Jackson](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-and-edwin-jackson-reunite-for-a-third-time/) returns for his third stint at ASVEL, while swingman [David Lighty](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-lighty-together-until-2026/), in his ninth season with the club, is another valuable piece on the perimeter. This entire group of players should allow a potential future star, the talented 18-year old point guard [Noam Yaacov](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-brings-back-teen-point-guard-noam-yaacov/), to get his feet wet in Europe's elite basketball competition.

### FRONTCOURT

ASVEL's front line has received a big boost this summer with a quartet of new faces that bring toughness, experience, competitiveness and plenty of depth. The only one of them with previous EuroLeague experience, however, is forward [Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-brings-timothe-luwawu-cabarrot-home-to-france/) who made his competition debut last season with EA7 Armani Exchange Milan. A stellar perimeter defender, Luwawu-Cabarrot is also capable of scoring in bunches, something that fellow forward [Mike Scott](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ldlc-asvel-completes-move-for-mike-scott/) does on a more regular basis. He might be 35 years of age, but Scott has the size, range and rebounding capacities to play either forward position. The other two newcomers, forward [Mbaye Ndiaye](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/ldlc-asvel-completes-move-for-mike-scott/) and center [John Egbunu](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-signs-athletic-big-man-john-egbunu/), bring some elite athleticism and rim protection, something we have got accustomed to seeing from players in ASVEL's jersey.

It is hard to imagine ASVEL's frontcourt without [Charles Kahudi](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/charles-kahudi/profile/kir/), who turned 37 years old this summer and is getting ready for his ninth consecutive season with the club. The two centerpieces in the paint are big men [Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-bolsters-frontcourt-with-lauvergne/) and [Youssoupha Fall](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-re-signs-fall-for-two-more-years/). The latter is coming off the best season in his career, one in which he posted 9.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. Lauvergne, on the other hand, went down in Round 3 of last season and will be plenty eager to get busy and help ASVEL meet its ambitions.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">Bon dimanche ✌️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LDLCASVEL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LDLCASVEL</a> <a href="https://t.co/jvM7SRjQdD">pic.twitter.com/jvM7SRjQdD</a></p>&mdash; LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) <a href="https://twitter.com/LDLCASVEL/status/1698276874474938641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### PLAYER TO WATCH

[Joffrey Lauvergne](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/asvel-bolsters-frontcourt-with-lauvergne/) has had a pair of nightmare seasons. After a fine 2020-21 campaign with Zalgiris Kaunas, when he posted 10.7 points and 5.6 rebounds, Lauvergne made only 13 appearances due to injuries the next season and then basically missed the entire 2022-23 when he was supposed to be instrumental in all of ASVEL's plans. Lauvergne is now poised to get back to basketball action, so is everyone else happy to see him back on the floor. A savvy veteran player, Lauvergne is not just a proven EuroLeague contributor, but when in-form one of the best centers in the competition.

### OUTLOOK

Unlike the previous season, which they started with six EuroLeague rookies, ASVEL will certainly not lack experience this season. Numerous seasoned vets will give ASVEL a new dimension, but so will the firepower on the perimeter besides that of De Colo. Besides more depth, another thing that stands out is the size on this ASVEL roster, with half-dozen player who list rebounding as their main strength. Controlling the boards can win you games, and so can experience. A combination of the two could make ASVEL a dark horse in the upcoming campaign.

Canada made history reaching its first-ever World Cup semifinals after a 100-89 quarterfinal win over Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Wednesday afternoon in Manila, Philippines. Canada has completed a semifinals lineup and will try to secure its first World Cup medal when it plays against Serbia on Friday, a game which will be followed by a clash between Germany and USA. This outcome also means that national teams of Serbia and Germany secured their tickets to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, joining previously qualified USA, Canada, Australia, South Sudan, Japan and the host nation France.

Canada into semis, Serbia and Germany book Olympic tickets

Canada made history reaching its first-ever World Cup semifinals after a 100-89 quarterfinal win over Luka Doncic and Slovenia on Wednesday afternoon in Manila, Philippines. Canada has completed a semifinals lineup and will try to secure its first World Cup medal when it plays against Serbia on Friday, a game which will be followed by a clash between Germany and USA.

Canada and Slovenia were tied at 50-50 at halftime, but Canada took control with an 11-0 run early in the third quarter with R.J. Barrett and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in main roles. Canada opened a 16-point third-quarter lead. Doncic hit a pair of three-pointers, but Canada never allowed Slovenia to get back in the game.

Gilgeous Alexander finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, and Barrett had 24 points and 9 rebounds in a victory. Luka Doncic had 26 points and Klemen Prepelic, who played with Valencia Basket last season, netted 22 for Slovenia. Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana forward Zoran Dragic scored 10 in a losing effort, while Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade center Mike Tobey had 8 points and 6 rebounds.

This outcome also means that national teams of Serbia and Germany secured their tickets to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, joining previously qualified USA, Canada, Australia, South Sudan, Japan and the host nation France.

Earlier on Wednesday, Germany remained the only undefeated team in the World Cup, making it to the semifinals for the second time ever by holding off Latvia 81-79. FC Bayern Munich's Andreas Obst scored 13 points and ALBA Berlin Johannes Thiemann added 10 on perfect shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Serbia was the first to make the semis when it rolled past Lithuania 87-68 on Tuesday, and USA dismissed Italy 100-63.

Germany has made it to the 2023 World Cup semifinals by edging Latvia 81-79 on Wednesday, and could seal its ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France as soon as tonight. With this win, Germany has made it to the World Cup semifinals for the second time ever. In 2002, Dirk Nowitzki led Germany to a bronze medal. Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars played a big role in this historical victory. 


Lo, Thiemann, Obst help Germany reach World Cup semis! 

Germany has made it to the 2023 World Cup semifinals by edging Latvia 81-79 on Wednesday, and could seal its ticket to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France as soon as tonight. With this win, Germany has made it to the World Cup semifinals for the second time ever. In 2002, Dirk Nowitzki led Germany to a bronze medal. Turkish Airlines EuroLeague stars played a big role in this historical victory. 

ALBA Berlin center Johannes Thiemann stepped on court with his team trailing 8-16 late in the first quarter. He immediately made things happen with a tip-ín and a pair of free throws in a 9-0 run that turned things around. Thiemann soon scored twice around the basket, and his 8 points in a three-minute span allowed Germany to take the lead at halftime, 36-34. 

He was not the only EuroLeague star to step up when the going got tough. Germany's star guard Dennis Schroeder went scoreless before the break, missing all of his 9 shots. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan combo guard Maodo Lo and FC Bayern Munich shooting ace Andreas Obst provided answers, balancing Thiemann's efforts in the paint. Lo had 6 first-half points and Obst added a driving layup and a couple of three-pointers. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">HALBFINALE, LET&#39;S GO! 🔥🔥🔥<br><br>Und JT wieder als wichtiger X-Faktor mit 10 Punkten (4/4fg) und 7 Rebounds beim Sieg der <a href="https://twitter.com/DBB_Basketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DBB_Basketball</a>-Auswahl. Glückwunsch! 💛💙<br><br>📸 FIBA <a href="https://t.co/YCjP4VNYeS">pic.twitter.com/YCjP4VNYeS</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1699380487645524055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


Schroeder eventually found the way to the basket and a 10-0 run highlighted by Bayern forward Isaac Bonga's corner three-pointer allowed Germany to get its first double-digit lead, 70-59, late in the third quarter. 

Latvia did not give up, as Zalgiris Kaunas forward Rolands Smits and Arturs Zagars stepped up to bring their team within 81-79. When Schoeder missed again, Latvia had a chance to win the game but Davis Bertans missed from downtown at the buzzer. 

Obst finished the game with 13 points and Thiemann added 10 on perfect shooting, grabbing 7 rebounds. Schoeder ended up getting 9 points but on 4-of-26 shooting. Germany remains the only undefeated team in the 2023 World Cup. 

Zagars led Latvia with 24 points and 8 assists. Bertans added 20 and Smits had 14 and 8 rebounds. It was a bitter loss for Latvia, which downed teams like Spain, Brazil and France to reach the quarterfinals in its first-ever appearance in the tournament.

With this win, Germany might have locked a spot in next summer's Olympic Games in Paris. If Canada beats Slovenia in their quarterfinals matchup later on today, Germany will make it to the Olympics for the seventh time ever: its best ranking was seventh in Barcelona 1992. If Slovenia advances to the semifinal, however, Germany needs to be one of the top two European teams in the tournament, ahead of either Serbia or Slovenia.

Lo, Thiemann, Obst help Germany reach World Cup semis!

Virtus Segafredo Bologna delivered many exciting moments last season in its long-awaited return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Its 14-20 record was ultimately only enough to place 14th in the standings. One of the issues the club, led by head coach Sergio Scariolo, had to deal with was injuries; only one player took part in all 34 EuroLeague contests last season. To help remedy that, Virtus enters the 2023-24 season with an even deeper roster, chock full of experienced players, as it aims to take another step forward and battle for a playoff berth.

 2023-24 Roster Rundown: Virtus Segafredo Bologna 

[Virtus Segafredo Bologna](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/roster/vir/?season=2023-24) delivered many exciting moments last season in its long-awaited return to the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Its 14-20 record was ultimately only enough to place 14th in the standings. One of the issues the club, led by head coach [Sergio Scariolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/teams/virtus-segafredo-bologna/vir/scariolo-sergio/?season=E2023), had to deal with was injuries; only one player took part in all 34 EuroLeague contests last season. To help remedy that, Virtus enters the 2023-24 season with an even deeper roster, chock full of experienced players, as it aims to take another step forward and battle for a playoff berth.

### BACKCOURT

There is no shortage of ball handlers on the Virtus roster, though many of them are combo guards. The lone natural playmakers are [Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-pajola-together-until-2026/) and [Bruno Mascolo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-reels-in-guard-bruno-mascolo/). Pajola, who was 15 when he joined the club’s youth system, came off the bench last season and was effective on both ends of the floor; he led the league in steals on a per-minute basis (3.0 over 40 minutes) and was fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0 to 1). Mascolo, 27, signed from fellow Italian side Brindisi and is due to make his EuroLeague debut with Virtus.

[Daniel Hackett](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-lands-star-guard-hackett/), [Iffe Lundberg](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-adds-lundberg-to-the-mix/) and [Jaleen Smith](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/jaleen-smith-signs-for-virtus-bologna/) can all play both guard positions. Hackett and Lundberg were the starting backcourt for most of the team's games last season. A EuroLeague champion in 2019, Hackett is the most experienced of the bunch and the toughest defender. Lundberg set personal bests in nearly every statistical category last season in his third in the EuroLeague and first with Virtus. Smith, who will enter his third EuroLeague campaign after two seasons with ALBA Berlin, is the most prolific shooter of the group. When it comes to great shooters, [Marco Belinelli](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-extends-veteran-sharpshooter-marco-belinelli/) is in a category of his own, but at age 37 his playing time may continue to decrease.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="nl" dir="ltr">𝑱𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒏 🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmarsiAncora?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AmarsiAncora</a> <a href="https://t.co/W6Rr7SeTMY">pic.twitter.com/W6Rr7SeTMY</a></p>&mdash; Virtus Segafredo Bologna (@VirtusSegafredo) <a href="https://twitter.com/VirtusSegafredo/status/1698643046378684635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The small forward position will be mostly shared by the trio of [Isaia Cordinier](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/isaia-cordinier-renews-at-virtus-bologna-until-2025/), [Ognjen Dobric](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-bologna-inks-swingman-ognjen-dobric/) and [Awudu Abass](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-forward-awudu-abass-stay-together/). Cordinier and Abass both missed time last season due to injuries. For Cordinier it was a foot problem and Abass was revering from knee surgery. They are both excellent athletes with strong all-around games. Dobric will play for a club outside his native Belgrade for the first time. He was a part-time starter for Crvena Zvezda Meridienbet Belgrade last season and posted the best numbers of his career.

### FRONTCOURT

[Toko Shengelia](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/shengelia-virtus-reach-new-agreement/) is one of the team's biggest stars and led Virtus in performance index rating last season while ranking second in assists. His all-around contributions could be key to the team's success. The athletic [Achille Polonara](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/achille-polonara-returns-to-italy-with-virtus-bologna/) returns to Italy after playing for four different EuroLeague clubs over the past three seasons. Both Shengelia and Polonara are very good outside shooters, too. Newcomer [Devontae Cacok](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/devontae-cacok-heads-to-the-euroleague-with-virtus/) is an outstanding rebounder who could play center too in a small lineup. He got his first taste of European basketball in Russia last season and could become a key player for Virtus.

[Jordan Mickey](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-signs-experienced-center-mickey/) enters his sixth EuroLeague campaign and has put up numbers at every stop. He can also play both the '4' and '5' spots. [Bryant Dunston](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-bologna-lands-two-time-euroleague-champ-bryant-dunston/), a former EuroLeague Best Defender, is known best as a rim protector. After eight seasons – and two EuroLeague championships – with Anadolu Efes Istanbul, it will be interesting to see the impact Dunston has in Bologna. [Leo Menalo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-brings-in-young-forward-menalo/), 21, signed a long-term deal with Virtus last summer and made his EuroLeague debut in April. He will try to carve out a rotation spot this season.

Alessandro Pajola Top Plays from 10/01/2022 to 05/10/2023

Alessandro Pajola Top Plays in the 2022-23 season

### PLAYER TO WATCH

[Alessandro Pajola](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/news/virtus-pajola-together-until-2026/) is only 23 and made a favorable impression last season as he debuted in the EuroLeague. There was never any question about his defensive ability and he backed that up, often defending the opposition's best guard. His ball-handling ability was also impressive. What was lacking was Pajola attacking the basket much. To take the next step in his career, Pajola will need to prove himself as a capable scorer. Fortunately, he will nearly always find himself playing alongside a combo guard, which should allow for scoring opportunities. If Pajola shows off that scoring ability this season, Virtus will be better off and its young guard will be on the path to stardom.

### OUTLOOK

With a talented and experienced roster, Virtus has every reason to believe that it can compete for a playoff berth this season. However, with six players in their 30s, Virtus's depth is equally as important. The team also faces a favorable schedule with four of its first six games at home, including both games in the two-round week for October. If it can capitalize on that with a fast start, special things could be in store for Virtus fans.

Virtus Segafredo Bologna news

2023-24 Roster Rundown: Virtus Segafredo Bologna

Serbia is the first semifinalist of the 2023 World Cup after a resounding 68-87 win over previously unbeaten Lithuania on Tuesday. Former two-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star Bogdan Bogdanovic had a game-high 21 points to lead Serbia, and Filip Petrusev, who played with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade last season, finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds.

Serbia rolls past Lithuania and into World Cup semis

Serbia is the first semifinalist of the 2023 World Cup after a resounding 68-87 win over previously unbeaten Lithuania on Tuesday. Former two-time Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Rising Star Bogdan Bogdanovic had a game-high 21 points to lead Serbia, and Filip Petrusev, who played with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade last season, finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds.

Bogdanovic and Petrusev, both former EuroLeague champs, did their parts, one in each half, to send Serbia to the semis. Bogdanovic, who won the EuroLeague in 2017 with Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, scored 18 in the first half. Back-to-back three-pointers early in the fourth quarter by Petrusev, who helped Anadolu Efes Istanbul to the title in 2022, opened a 57-82 gap that allowed Serbia to cruise the rest of the way.

Lithuania started better and led early, with Tadas Sedekerskis of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz netting a pair of triples. Bogdanovic and Olympiacos Piraeus center Nikola Milutinov helped Serbia stay in touch and then take a second-quarter lead that their team would never relinquished.

Milutinov downed all of his 9 points in the first half, outdueling Lithuanian big man Jonas Valanciunas, a EuroCup Rising Star in 2012. Serbia led 38-49 at the break. With Rokas Jokubaitis of FC Barcelona leading Lithuania's charge at the start of the third quarter and his team turning to zone defense, Milutinov's passing came to light, as his assist for Stefan Jovic's third triple made it 48-62.

With Serbia with the lead, Petrusev, Fenerbahce shooter Marko Guduric and Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Aleksa Avramovic finished the job, showing focus and poise when it mattered most. Guduric contributed 9 points and dished most of his 6 assists after the break. Avramovic scored 8 points while picking up 4 steals and 2 assists.

On the losing side, Sedekerskis collected 14 points and 9 rebounds, Jokubaitis had 11 points and 9 assists, while Zalgiris Kaunas swingman Ignas Brazdeikis finished with 11 points.

Lithuania's only lapse of the tournament was ill-timed, coming in the first do-or-die knockout stage, the quarterfinals, just two days after it had handed the United States its first loss of the World Cup.

Serbia, meanwhile, might have guaranteed itself a spot in next summer's Olympic Games in Paris. Two such berths will go to the top two European teams in the World Cup. So, if Italy cannot beat the USA later on Tuesday and the same fate befalls Slovenia against Canada on Wednesday, Serbia will have already punched its ticket to Paris.