"Off-Form German Basketballers Slip Against Spain"
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Hey there! Let's chat about the disappointing loss Germany suffered in their game against Spain in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025. This defeat wasn't in the script for the high-flying German team.
The Germans were in shocks after their crushing 79:60 defeat at the hands of a red-hot Spanish squad. Before this setback, they had caught the attention with their promising start against Sweden. Even Dirk Nowitzki, the living legend, couldn't help them savor victory this time around.
Coach Lisa Thomaidis, visibly upset, stated on Magenta TV, "We had our chances. But we seemed to be making more uncharacteristic mistakes than usual." She added, "We're still learning. We have to grow with every game."
Now, the Germans need to raise their game significantly if they wish to make it to the quarterfinals in Piraeus. In their upcoming last group game against the winless British side, they'll have to prove their mettle and hopefully avoid any more slip-ups.
Spain Ruled the Court from the Beginning
The Spanish team had already shown impressive form on Tuesday, amassing a clear win against Sweden. The day after, they demonstrated they were in a different league right from the get-go. With a much higher intensity and better starting shape (8:2), Spain proved they were up against a tougher opposition.
German stars Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsoeder struggled with their shots initially. However, two three-pointers from Emily Bessoir kept the deficit manageable at 19:16 after the first ten minutes.
But that was as good as it got for the Germans in the second quarter. Without key players like Satou and Nyara Sabally, as well as captain Marie Gülich, they found it tough to keep up with the aggressive Spanish team. Despite having only 11 turnovers against Sweden in the entire game, they had already given away nine against Spain in the first half.
Health Concerns for Peterson
Things went from bad to worse when their playmaker, Alexis Peterson, got hurt midway through the third quarter. Fortunately, she returned to the court shortly after. Despite Fiebich playing the full 40 minutes for Germany, they were unable to snatch a win in front of 3414 spectators in the sold-out arena.
The game stats revealed some potential reasons for their defeat. Spain had a better field goal percentage (48% vs 40%). Additionally, their defensive strategy, especially in transitional phases, may have restricted Germany's scoring opportunities.
Some of the other factors that could have contributed to the defeat include mental pressure under the watchful home crowd and Spain's cohesive team dynamics. Regardless of the causes, this loss will serve as a wake-up call for the German team as they prepare for their next battle.
Source: ntv.de, Lars Reinefeld, dpa
Extra Insight:
- Raquel Carrera, a key player for Spain, scored 20 points in the game, which was a crucial factor in securing the victory. This, alongside their unified team performance and heightened intensity, likely added to Germany's struggle.
- The German team's unexpected errors may have been caused by the pressure of playing at home, which could have affected their performance under stress. This was something they might need to address going forward.
Despite the German national basketball team's promising start against Sweden, they struggled against the European championships contenders, Spain, in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025. On the other hand, the NBA-level performance of the Spanish team was evident, as they showcased their superior skills in both the games against Sweden and Germany.
