Germany's basketball players have defied their ongoing staffing problems and completed their duty a week before the start of the home European Championship.

The team of national coach Gordon Herbert clearly won the World Cup qualification game against Sweden on Thursday evening with 67:50 (46:29) and thus secured the sixth qualification win in a row.

Franz Wagner (16 points) and Dennis Schröder (12 points) were in good shape after winning in front of a full ranks in Stockholm.

"I'm proud of our defensive lads that we kept Sweden at 50 points," said national coach Gordon Herbert after the lackluster success in Sweden's capital.

The second half in particular wasn't quite as good as the 63-year-old expected: "We played really good basketball in the first half.

After that we had big problems on offense.

Sweden never gave up.”

Schröder's use was uncertain for a long time due to an ankle injury from the Supercup.

The 28-year-old, who is currently without a club, only arrived on Wednesday, and the decision on his assignment was only made on the day of the game.

Schröder directed the team's offensive again and did it well, but his own movements weren't working at 100 percent.

The defender tried a lot from a distance, he hardly attacked the basket.

Germany without important players

The internationally rather nameless Swedes, who had never qualified for a World Cup, were overwhelmed from the start and, despite loud support, fell clearly behind early on.

The first successful three-point shot came in the second half, but it wasn't enough for a big catch-up race.

Germany played without a few top performers like Maximilian Kleber, Isaiah Hartenstein, Tibor Pleiß or Daniel Theis, who are either missing at the moment or for the whole summer.

Despite this, the Herbert team maintained control over long stretches.

A weak third quarter with only eight own points did not change that.

Especially Wagner from the Orlando Magic knew how to please with speed, technique and aggressiveness.

The guest appearance in Scandinavia was probably not a real indicator for the Slovenia game on Sunday (3 p.m. at Magentasport) in Munich.

For head coach Herbert, however, there were several reassuring aspects: Schröder's ankle is secure, Wagner on the wing continues to play at a high level and the defense also works solidly.

A key to success at the European Championship (September 1 to 18) should be a quick comeback by Theis.

The Indiana Pacers NBA pro is currently struggling with knee problems and will not play against Luka Doncic and Co. in the last World Cup qualifier before the European Championship.

After that, there is only a three-day break before the home tournament begins on Thursday in Cologne with a bang against France.

On the other hand, Herbert does not have to worry too much about qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Finland and Germany are clearly in the lead with six wins and one loss each, and two more wins from the remaining five games should be enough.