'We are not finished yet': Germany to face Turkey in Eurobasket final

World champions Germany beat Finland 98-86 to reach the Sunday's Eurobasket final where they will be bidding for a second continental title against Turkey.

Captain Dennis Schröder led the way with 26 points and 12 assists on Friday, and Franz Wagner had 22 points, as the Germans recovered from an early 14-6 deficit.

The affair was closer than in Germany's 91-61 group stage demolition of the championship co-hosts last week in Tampere.

Turkey meanwhile trounced Greece 94-68 in the other semi with the help of 28 points from Ercan Osmani and are in the final for the second time. They lost the 2001 decider against then Yugoslavia.

Germany have reached the final for the third time. They won the title in 1993 and a Dirk Nowitzki-led team lost the 2005 decider against Greece.

"Final – what a strong game," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on X. "You have inspired an entire country. Good luck in the final."

Germany won a surprise world title two years ago, and the team now wants another trophy after narrowly missing out in fourth place at last year's Paris Olympics.

"We are not finished yet, the focus immediately turns to Sunday. We can only be happy briefly," the team's interim coach Alan Ibrahimagic.

Schröder said: "It is the best feeling to reach the final. We did a good job and controlled the match. Now we want to win another match to get the gold medal."

Germany started poorly to trail 14-6 as Wagner missed his first four shots. But they regrouped to lead 30-26 after the first quarter.

The lead swelled to 19 and was 14 at the half, and even though Finland, who had earlier stunned World Cup finalists Serbia, rallied within six points at 79-73 the Germans soon pulled away again en route to victory.