The pool of contenders has narrowed down to two teams.
In an all-European final, Germany is set to clash with Serbia for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medal, underscoring the fact that basketball excellence isn't solely the domain of North America.
The U.S. squad entered this matchup seeking redemption for their seventh-place finish in the tournament held in China four years ago.
However, their aspirations were dashed as they succumbed to a resilient German team, losing with a final score of 113-111 in a thrilling showdown hosted in Manila.
The contest remained intensely close throughout, with both Germany and the United States fiercely competing.
Although trailing by a slim margin of 59-60 at halftime, Germany executed a remarkable surge, amassing a 35-24 advantage during the third quarter, entering the final period with a commanding 10-point lead.
The U.S. squad initiated a valiant comeback, methodically chipping away at the deficit.
However, their momentum was abruptly halted by a costly turnover committed by Anthony Edwards.
The standout performers for Germany included Franz Wagner, who notched an impressive 22 points and secured five rebounds.
Inside the paint, Daniel Theis asserted his dominance with a contribution of 21 points, while Andreas Obst stepped up with a game-high 24 points, including crucial 3-pointers during the closing minutes.
On the American side, Anthony Edwards led the charge with 23 points, while Austin Reaves added 21 more to their tally.
The combined score of 224 points between Germany and the United States set a new record for the highest-scoring game witnessed in the tournament since 1994.
In an earlier match, Serbia secured a 95-86 victory against Canada by exerting their authority in the paint and maintaining control of the boards.
Five Serbian players achieved double-digit scores, spearheaded by Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Atlanta Hawks, who amassed an impressive 23 points, along with four rebounds and three assists.
Looking ahead, Serbia, with their sights set on their inaugural FIBA World Cup title, is poised to face off against Germany in an eagerly anticipated Sunday showdown.
Meanwhile, the United States will vie for the bronze medal in their match against Canada.
