It was a working birthday for Franz Wagner as he took the floor with Germany against Montenegro. The 24 year old Orlando Magic star shone as the Mannschaft won their opening EuroBasket 2025 game in Tampere.
There was no time for Franz Wagner to party on his birthday. With German fans holding up a happy birthday banner in the stands, the Orlando Magic star had work to do at EuroBasket 2025. Montenegro hoped to spoil the celebration.
Wait, he’s how young?
Time comes for us all, I get that. Still, I was genuinely surprised to be reminded of just how young Franz Wagner is. He has been on the radar for so long, going back to his Alba Berlin days, that him still being shy of what should be his prime came as a shock.
Remember, this was a man who was stellar in EuroBasket 2022 in front of a vocal home crowd. He also impressed tremendously through Germany’s run to the FIBA World Cup title in 2023. All along the way, including at the Olympics in Paris 2024, he looked polished.
Early on, we saw that he could be more refined. The first quarter of this EuroBasket 2025 opener in Tampere showed us another level. Franz Wagner will never be accused of lacking workrate. Still, he was able to be more economical with his energy as he glided past a bruising Montenegro side to score early and often. He needed less than 5 minutes to hit 10 points for the day.
An ideal test
The big games for Germany in this group are against Finland and Lithuania. All three of these sides fancy their chances of getting a medal at EuroBasket 2025. Germany, while reigning FIBA World Cup champions, haven’t been kings of Europe in over 30 years. Added to this, their head coach Alex Mumbru is currently hospitalised with an infection.
That’s why Montenegro proved a perfect test for Franz Wagner and company on opening day. Nikola Vucevic is the star but this side ran the USA close at the last World Cup. They are quick but hard hitting. It’s a more honest test for an opener than say Great Britain, likely one-sided, or Sweden, guts and glory all the way.
The Orlando Magic star was impressive but also wasn’t getting things all his own way. The need to work his way more into the game, to get on the grind, became more visible in the second quarter. Franz had to work and he was fine with that. A lovely glide and finish reminded everyone who the class act was here.
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Moe was missed
It’s not exactly news to say that Franz Wagner’s brother and Orlando Magic teammate Moe Wagner is important for Germany. It goes beyond him being a very good basketball player and his chemistry with his brother.
Moe’s role as a leader in the national side is acknowledged in Germany but often overlooked from the outside. The energy he brings along with his buy-in to the culture are both enormous mental factors. Franz played the previous EuroBasket without his brother, when he was also injured, but this feels different.
This is very much seen as a new Germany team. Even though most of the names and faces are familiar, EuroBasket 2025 follows three straight summers where Gordon Herbert was at the helm. Not only is there an adjustment to a new coaching staff but Alex Mumbru wasn’t even here for the opener because of an infection. That aspect can’t be ignored.
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It was an ideal birthday for Franz Wagner as he led Germany past Montenegro at EuroBasket 2025
The ideal present
This Germany team is so much more than Franz Wagner. The Orlando Magic star knows it too. He may be taking over from Dennis Schroeder as leader but he remains a workhorse. Wagner’s off-ball work matters as much for this side and when he’s driving and scoring.
In the third quarter, the Mannschaft took charge. The goal was to come through this EuroBasket 2025 opener with a win over Montenegro and no injuries of note. They got both, unless Isaac Bongo’s proves more serious than it looked, of those plus visible proof that they can find that other level when required.
Having punched a hole in the spirit of their opponents, Germany took charge and eased to victory. There are much tougher tests ahead in Tampere. Still, this was a good way for Germany to open their campaign and for Franz Wagner to celebrate his 24th birthday.
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