Gdansk – September 03, 2026 -- Germany's men's basketball team needed overtime to beat previously unbeaten Poland 96:94 in a World Cup qualifier in Gdansk, closing out a summer window with four wins from four games.
Captain Dennis Schröder sealed the win from the free-throw line
With the extra period nearing its end, Schröder drew a foul himself and converted the resulting free throws to put Germany ahead for good. The win came at a cost: in the fourth quarter, Isaac Bonga's elbow caught teammate Oscar da Silva in the face during a rebound attempt, leaving da Silva with a cut that required treatment.
Germany sits third in the qualifying table after eight matchdays
The reigning world and European champions now have 15 points, trailing table leaders Croatia and Poland. MagentaSport analyst Alex Vogel called the summer window "very positive," noting the team achieved its results without the Wagner brothers or Isaiah Hartenstein, who remains unavailable. "You win games, mostly convincingly, today a bit lucky," Vogel said, adding that team officials would still be satisfied overall.
The next qualifying window opens in Latvia on November 27
Germany then hosts the return fixture against Poland on November 30, with both games airing live on MagentaSport.
Germany's women open a home World Cup in Berlin on September 4
The FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 kicks off with Spain facing Germany at 5:15 p.m., preceded by USA against China at 1:45 p.m. WNBA players Leonie Fiebich, Frieda Bühner and Nyara Sabally have rejoined the national squad for the tournament. Vogel described Fiebich and Sabally as "must-haves" for Germany's medal chances, particularly with Satou Sabally out due to injury, while criticizing WNBA rules that bar national coaches from contacting players who traveled to Germany ahead of the official release date.
Germany's group-stage schedule continues through September 7
After Spain, Germany plays Japan on September 5 and Mali on September 7, with knockout rounds running from September 8 through the September 13 final. All group and knockout matches air live on MagentaSport and MagentaTV.