European Basketball Champion – there's only one, and it's called Germany!

WHAT AN EVENING IN RIGA! WHAT A CRIME IN LATVIA!

The German giants win the final against strong Turks 88:83, winning the European Championship title for the second time (after 1993).

It's a game for eternity!

DBB star Isaac Bonga (25) after the mega-triumph : "World and European champion, I still can't believe it myself. For me, it was like a school trip with my best friends; we played basketball and had fun."

Assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic (46), who stood in for the ill national coach Alex Mumbru (46) during the tournament :"Of course everyone is happy. The emotions will come later. For now, we're happy; it was a very close game."

At the beginning, it didn't look like a major triumph. The Turks started the game like they did in the semifinal against Greece (94:68). The first three three-pointers found their target, leading 13:2, and the Turkish fans in the arena were really raising their voices!

THUNDERBREAKER VICTORY! German basketball players are European champions

But then Bonga turns it up, scoring seven really important points. And we're on the scoresheet! After ten minutes, we're even leading 24:22. And our captain Dennis Schröder only has two points. Maybe that's because he fell on his elbow after five minutes.

In the second quarter, there's confusion over a shot. Schröder goes for the basket but is blocked by Bona. The referees initially call a basket because the ball was already on the backboard during the layup. After a protest from the Turks, the referees go to the monitor, watch the shot for several minutes, and then decide—no shot!

After that, the DBB team was a bit off track. On the last attack before halftime, Schröder (still only two points) even threw the ball away. The score was 40-46 at halftime.

High-level politicians are supporting the sidelines: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (69) arrives at the arena 17 minutes before kickoff. His Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan (71), ultimately decided not to attend the match.

Steinmeier at halftime on MagentaSport:"This team is a dream. The boys are not only great players, but they also have great human qualities."

After the break, it was finally Schröder's turn! First a three-pointer, then a great assist to Bonga – and we're back in front – 50-49.

But at the back, Turkish NBA star Alperen Sengün (Houston Rockets) and Cedi Osman do almost whatever they want with our defense.

Now it's a real crime thriller!

The Turks are ahead 63-57, then Tristan da Silva and Johannes Thiemann sink two three-pointers. Equalize!

After 30 minutes, the Turks are leading by a measly point – 67:66. Anyone who still has fingernails has never loved basketball!

The final period begins with a short run by the Turks – and a scary moment for the German team. Johannes Thiemann gets Osmani's hand in the face and ends up lying on the court. He receives treatment and has to leave the court.

It's back and forth! The man keeping us in the game is Isaac Bonga. He sinks some really important shots.

With one minute to go, Schröder scores again, sinking an incredibly important layup – 84-83. And then another two-pointer! 86-83! And two more free throws! 88-83. He finishes with 16 points. And 12 assists, a record in a European Championship final.

VICTORY! VICTORY! VICTORY!