Magic Matchup: Franz vs. Paolo in FIBA World Cup Semifinals

Franz Wagner, Moe Wagner and Paolo Banchero will represent the Orlando Magic in Friday's FIBA World Cup semifinal.

ORLANDO - Orlando Magic fans will have multiple reasons to tune in for Friday's FIBA World Cup semifinal matchup between the United States and Germany.

Not only will Moe Wagner play, but the team's top two cornerstones, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, will play against one another for the first time in their careers.

The matchup became possible after Banchero and the U.S. took care of business against Italy in Tuesday's quarterfinal. Then, Franz returned from a four-game absence with an ankle injury to will Germany to a two-point victory over tournament underdog Latvia.

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Germany has been the only team to remain undefeated up until this point in the tournament with a perfect 6-0 mark, while the U.S. has been arguably the most intimidating team in the field, losing just a meaningless game to Lithuania.

In fact, without that loss vs. Lithuania, this matchup wouldn't have taken place in the semifinals as the Americans would have been on the other side of the bracket. Banchero and the U.S. team likely would have faced Serbia with a date against Canada in the semifinals.

Now, the Americans face their toughest test yet against a German team hungry to dethrone the world's perceived basketball superpower.

With NBA veterans Daniel Theis and Dennis Schroder also on the roster, Germany is capable of competing against any team in the tournament, but the team likely will struggle if Franz and Moe Wagner don't step up.

As one of the tallest players on the U.S. roster, Banchero will have to line up against Wagner and Theis in the post. If Germany can take advantage in not having a true rim protector as the center, it may lead to an upset.

Germany and the United States play at 8:30 a.m. on Friday.