It was a day for the old guard on Friday as Germany’s veterans took control in the first half to kill off Sweden’s challenge. Emmet Ryan on how Daniel Theis, Maodo Lo, and, of course, Dennis Schroder are key to their hopes at EuroBasket 2025
With Franz Wagner starring in his birthday game on the opening day of EuroBasket 2025, it seemed only right that the veterans stood tall on Friday. Germany cruised past Sweden as Maodo Lo, Daniel Theis, and Dennis Schroder took full control.
Theis, Theis, Baby
From literally the opening jump, Daniel Theis decided this was going to be a good day for Germany. In the three minutes that followed him winning the tip, Theis recorded 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block as Germany throttled Sweden early. This was DT stepping up and taking charge at EuroBasket 2025.
Theis is an oddity in how traditional his career arc has been. We don’t get too many like him anymore. Theis needed time to adapt as a 5, getting used to fighting it out with grown men. Some of his early days in Bamberg showed the challenges he faced when against stronger opponents.
Still, he learned and developed. That brought him to the NBA, where he carved out a solid career, before opting to come back to Europe when he probably could have gotten another year or two stateside. He’d made his money, the offers in Euroleague were tempting enough, and now he can enjoy being in a featured role for longer in his time playing.
Maodo Lo flies under the radar but has a crucial role to play for Germany at EuroBasket 2025
Mr reliable, Maodo Lo
There was a bit of a wobble for Germany in the middle of the first quarter. This was the closest it ever got to being a real fight. Dennis Schroeder got a T for being unhappy with a call and the vibe seemed off for Deutschland in this EuroBasket 2025 battle.
Never fear, the most chill man in Tampere was here to sort everything out. Maodo Lo has never been a big name. He’s also rarely been the featured option. All he does is operate with tremendous efficiency on the floor while being a coach’s dream as culture fits go. The dude makes people want to play with him.
Out he went and quickly racked up 8 points on his first three shots to calm the nerves. That’s just what he does. Maodo Lo doesn’t need to have the ball all the time. He’s there to take it when the team needs him to solve intangible problems. The Lithuanian fans in the gym were even cheering him on against Montenegro, because he’s joining Zalgiris and they know what he adds.
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Of course there’s Dennis
Dennis Schroder had his one wobble and then went to work. The unquestioned leader of the Mannschaft shook off his annoyance and got down to business both in scoring and creating. Alongside Daniel Theis and Maodo Lo, Schroder guided Germany into a commanding position at the break that they were never in danger of losing. It’s a stark difference from his first time at EuroBasket in 2015.
Back then he almost saved the side from exiting in the group stage but came up short against Spain, the eventual champions. It was the end of Dirk Nowitzki’s time with the Mannschaft. Ever since, Dennis Schroder has been the man in charge.
Through a vastly improved EuroBasket 2017 to bronze in 2022 and that FIBA World Cup title in 2023, he’s been the boss of a nation that has become a force. Now, at EuroBasket 2025, that dude from Braunschweig was taking charge of a unit with far greater goals than the one he joined a decade ago.
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Daniel Theis set the tone for Germany in a comfortable victory over Sweden at EuroBasket 2025
Growing together
For Dennis Schroder, Maodo Lo, and Daniel Theis, this is about understanding the situation. In 2015, every group game was life or death for Germany. Here at EuroBasket 2025, this veteran core is helping them to grow into a side that can compete down the stretch. EuroBasket is, by its very nature, a marathon of sprints.
Going all out in the early rounds leaves nothing in the tank when the medals are decided. Germany has the luxury to play within itself in these early games. These players can adapt to the different kinks they run into along the way and iron them out. That’s what contenders do.
Part of that involves this trio, along with Johannes Thiemann and Johannes Voigtmann, helping Franz Wagner grow as a leader on the floor. Depth with star power is what drives Deutschland forward. Against Sweden, we saw what that looks like.
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