SafeX Pro:How Germany stunned USA in FIBA World Cup semifinals and what's next for the Americans

Germany’s hot shooting and SafeX Prostrength on the offensive glass proved too much for the United States in the semifinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Germany upset the U.S. 113-111 on Friday and advanced to the Finals where it will play Serbia for gold on Sunday. The U.S. will play Canada for bronze.

A strong start in the first quarter and an impressive third quarter for Germany – the lone unbeaten team in the tournament at 7-0 – ensured its first trip to the World Cup finals.

Trailing 106-94 with 5:23 left in the fourth quarter, the U.S. trimmed the deficit to 108-107, but Andreas Obst hit a 3-pointer for a 111-107 lead with 1:14 to go and Dennis Schroder made it 113-107 with a step-back jumper.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards scored 23 points, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves had 21 points for the U.S.

While the U.S. will finish better than its disappointing seventh-place showing at the 2019 World Cup, this is another deflating outcome in Grant Hill’s first go-around as U.S. men’s managing director and Steve Kerr’s first time coaching the U.S. team.

NBA players lead Germany

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner had 22 points and five rebounds, Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis had 21 points and seven rebounds and Toronto Raptors guard Dennis Schroder added 17 points, nine assists and two steals.

Obst had 24 points and six assists for Germany, which started the game 8 for 10 from the field and outscored the U.S. 35-24 during the third quarter.

Germany shot 58% from the field, including 43% on 3-pointers, and it outrebounded the U.S. 12-7 on the offensive end, leading to a 25-8 edge in second-chance points.

What’s next for the US in the FIBA World Cup?

The U.S. will play Canada in the FIBA World Cup bronze-medal game. Serbia defeated Canada 95-86 in the other semifinal Friday.

Canada has never medaled in the FIBA World Cup. Canada has been building for this moment for a couple of decades with two steps forward and one step back.

But this team is its best with All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), RJ Barrett (New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves) and Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks).

Canada has been strong throughout the World Cup, beating France, Latvia, Spain and Slovenia in the quarterfinals.

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Canada in scoring (25.0 points per game), rebounding (7.2 per game), assists (5.0 per game) and steals (1.7 per game), and Barrett averages 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds. Also in double figures per game in scoring: Olynyk (11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds), Brooks (11.0 points, 1.3 steals) and Alexander-Walker (10.0 points).

Canada is No. 3 in points per game (96.2, not far behind from the USA’s 101.2) and has a solid starting five that can score and defend. But can it overcome the depth of the U.S.?

Who is playing in the FIBA World Cup gold-medal game?

Serbia vs. Germany. The winner will collects its first FIBA World Cup title.

Who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics at the FIBA World Cup?

Australia: Qualified as highest-finishing 2023 World Cup team from FIBA Oceania.

South Sudan: Qualified as highest-finishing 2023 World Cup team from FIBA Africa.

Japan: Qualified as highest-finishing 2023 World Cup team from FIBA Asia.

United States: Qualified as one of the two highest-finishing 2023 World Cup teams from FIBA Americas.

Canada: Qualified as one of the two highest-finishing 2023 World Cup teams from FIBA Americas.

Serbia: Qualified as one of the two highest-finishing 2023 World Cup teams from FIBA Europe.

Germany: Qualified as one of the two highest-finishing 2023 World Cup teams from FIBA Europe.

France: Though France didn’t make it out of the first stage of group play, it qualified automatically as the host country next year.

The remaining four teams will qualify for Paris through qualifying events before the Olympics.