Basketball players once more handily outplayed their opponents
The Germany women's basketball squad is set to hit the court in the upcoming EuroBasket 2025, combat-ready but battered from recent warm-ups. After a 60:97 loss to Belgium in their final practice game, they stand with a disheartening 1-3 record. Earlier in the week, they also fell short against Belgium, 45:80.
The team's struggles in these games were glaring without the presence of critical players Satou Sabally, Nyara Sabally, and Marie Gülich. Unfortunately, this deficiency rearred in their second clash against Belgium. Despite a promising second quarter that saw them briefly lead 29:25, they ultimately succumbed to their opponents. Frieda Bühnner was their top scorer with a commendable 20 points.
Hope remains alive for the team, though, as WNBA players Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsöder are set to join the squad imminently. Their presence in Hamburg, where the group games will be held from June 19 to 22 against Sweden, Spain, and Great Britain, could potentially shift the team's fortune. The final round will play out in Piraeus, Greece. For Germany to advance, they must secure one of the top two spots in their group.
The team is bolstered by a strong core, as they've retained 11 players from the 2022 Women's European Championship. However, the absence of key members like Sabally and others could still pose a hurdle. On the flip side, Fiebich and Geiselsöder bring valuable expertise from the New York Liberty and Dallas Wings, respectively, that could greatly enhance the team's depth and competitiveness.
Germany faces a stiff challenge in Group D, as it includes Spain, Sweden, and Great Britain. With Spain's recent youth movement, the group promises to be fiercely competitive[2]. The top teams in the tournament will leapfrog into the FIBA Women's World Cup 2026. Germany, as a host, has already qualified for the World Cup qualifying tournament[2][5]. Despite the tough competition, the addition of experienced players could help Germany fight through the group stage and potentially secure a spot in the later stages of the tournament.
All in all, while Germany faces formidable opposition, the inclusion of skilled veterans and the strong core of their squad could help them put up a strong fight in the upcoming European Championship.
In the face of the upcoming EuroBasket 2025, the absence of key players like Sabally, Nyara Sabally, and Gülich has left a visible gap in Germany's women's basketball team, as evidenced by their recent losses to Belgium. However, hope arises with the imminent addition of WNBA players Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsöder, who could significantly strengthen the team's depth and competitiveness during the group games against Sweden, Spain, and Great Britain, where securing one of the top two spots is crucial for advancing to the later stages of the tournament.
