Off-key Aussies tumble

ANDREW Bogut has failed to finish the game as the Boomers fell to Germany in a sloppy final hitout before their World Cup opener.

Andrej Lemanis’s men were fresh off a historic defeat of the United States in Melbourne on Saturday.

But the flow they found at Docklands Stadium was nowhere to be seen on Wednesday against the Germans, who led by 10 points at quarter-time and 19 at the final break before prevailing 74-64.

There is still no clarification on the severity of the injury to Bogut, who appeared to tweak his ankle before departing midway through the final term.

That only complicates matters for Lemanis before Australia’s crucial tournament opener against Canada in Dongguan, China.

The Boomers are yet to provide an update on Bogut, a key piece at both ends of the court, but will hope he is fit to feature against the Canadians, before games against Senegal and the dangerous Lithuania on September 3 and 5 respectively.

Australia must finish in the top two of its pool in China to have any chance of claiming a maiden international medal.

It was the squad’s first test against European opposition after four hitouts on home soil against Nick Nurse’s Canada and the Gregg Popovich-coached US this month and an arduous Asian qualifying campaign.

The Boomers could face Germany at the World Cup — along with France in the second round — if their campaign goes to script.

While the loss of star centre Bogut would be a major blow, the result itself hardly translates to panic stations given Lemanis tinkered with his line-up by benching NBA stars Patty Mills and Aron Baynes early and Jock Landale altogether.

But sloppy passing and poor shooting would not have pleased the side.

And Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder got under the Boomers’ skin as frustrations built in the second half.