Bulgaria shock World Cup winners Germany in Botevgrad

BOTEVGRAD (Bulgaria) - Germany won the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, but Bulgaria weren't intimidated one bit. They took down the world champs in Botevgrad to put both teams at 1-1 in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers Group D.

It finished 67-62, proving once again how tough of a home court that green arena in Bulgaria is. Germany had a 15-point lead early on, but could not hold on.

Turning point: It seemed it would be a one way street when Gordie Herbert's men opened up a 19-4 lead to start the game. However, Rosen Tsvetkov Barchovski had other ideas, and his team talks after quarters one and three were key in this one.

The team reacted, holding Germany to 8 points in the second stanza, and winning the final one by 11 points. When it was needed the most, Bulgaria's Codi Miller-McIntyre had ice in his veins, putting two possessions between the teams on consecutive offenses in the final minute.

Game hero: Miller-McIntyre is already a fan favorite in Bulgaria. One would assume it couldn't get any better after his 21-point debut versus Sweden, but one would've been wrong because Codi took it up a notch against the champions of the world.

He finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, giving him efficiency 21, and Bulgaria were a +12 team with him on the floor.

Stats don't lie: Germany had 21 turnovers, paving the way for Bulgaria to win points from turnovers 27-13.

 
Bottom line: Both teams are now at 1-1, both winning at home and losing on the road in February. They will play home-and-away again in November, Germany facing off with Sweden, Bulgaria taking on Montenegro.

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FIBA