Germany, France split U16 warm-up games

LUDWIGSBURG (FIBA U16 European Championship 2017) - Germany and France split a pair of exhibition games in their early preparations for the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, including a huge comeback by the French. 

Daniel Zdravevski paced four players in double figures as Germany won the first game against the French 84-77 in a back-and-forth battle featuring 15 lead changes and seven ties. Len Schoormann tallied 11 points and six rebounds for Germany while Franz Wagner picked up 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.

"It was a very intensive game by both teams," German coach Alan Ibrahimagic said after the game in Ludwigsburg. "We are still in our preparations, actually more of a pre-preparations since they won't continue for four weeks."

Germany, who will face off against Finland, Slovenia and Turkey in Group B at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017 in Podgorica, forced 23 France turnovers and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds in the win.

"In the end, the difference was the defensive adjustments that took away their penetration," Ibrahimagic said. "But the result is not important at this stage. We wanted to improve our penetration defense."

France were paced by Killian Hayes with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals while Louis Marnette knocked down five three-pointers in scoring 17 points. The French made just 5-of-9 free throws compared to 15-of-29 for Germany.

In the second game - also played in Ludwigsburg, France raced back from a 24-point deficit for a 72-67 victory with Hayes again leading the way with 22 points and nine rebounds to go with 9-of-10 free throws thanks to eight fouls drawn. Marnette added 14 points and Essome Miyem chipped in 11 points and six rebounds in the win.

France, who will take on Estonia, Italy and Russia in Group C at the U16 tournament from August 11-19, watched Germany use a 20-0 run to pull ahead 35-11. Bernard Faure's French ended up taking the lead 49-47 and led 65-55 in the fourth quarter.

France played three warm-up games in April, beating Montenegro and Spain before losing to Turkey.

Germany were paced in the defeat by Luc van Slooten with 18 points while Maximilian Begue collected 13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. The Germans struggled from long range, though, hitting just 3-of-18 for 17 percent.

"We showed some really good basketball at the beginning and put ourselves ahead with a comfortable lead. But we also learned that we cannot let up at any point, not even one percent," German assistant coach Marius Huth said. "Therefore this game was very revealing for us."

Germany and France played two games back in February in Temple sur Lot, France, with France winning 71-70 and 75-62. Germany will still play a warm-up game against Czech Republic before taking part in a four-nation exhibition tournament in Italy from July 28-30 with Italy, Spain and France.

France meanwhile have their next training camp from 10-18 July.

FIBA