The D’Tigers prior to the tournament at Japan, pulled off some level of wins against the US and Argentina before been eviscerated by Australia with a 30+ points difference, but those were test games. Those wins brought so much joy, angst and astronomical optimism that the D’Tigers were now mature enough to challenge the very best in the business.
Sadly, after their campaign began on a catastrophic note, giving that the Aussies took them to the cleaners 84 to 65 to stampede their dominance and stoutness, the next encounter against the Germans became sacrosanct than not.
The D’Tigers looked set to grab their first win in the tournament against Germany via the level of intensity and urgency in the way they ended the first Quarter, trailing by 3 points. Mike Brown’s charges took over the second quarter, running out 29-26. However, errors, so much fouls committed, and as well profligacy when chances come begging left the Germans a foray back in, and by the end of the third quarter, both teams were tied 24-24, leaving the overall score level at 74 – 74. Astute and sedulous defending by the Germans kept the Nigerians at bay and rendered their attack null and void, whilst series of onslaught by and by which produced 25points against the D’Tigers’ 18.
The result cannot by any stretch of imagination be regarded as favourable. However, the D’Tigers gave their best shots, possibly wasn’t enough to overpower a much more defensively disciplined, attacking flair-oriented and sleight of hands the Germans brought to the fray.