Oak City Basketball: German Basketballers with a Possible Absence at Euro Championship
Absent of Satou Sabally, Germany's women's basketball squad in the EM tournament - Basketball stars from Germany performing in the World Cup tournament minus Satou Sabally
Gear up for some hoops, folks! The German women's basketball squad might be playing without their star player, Satou Sabally, during the Euro Championship’s preliminary round in Hamburg. The 27-year-old has opted to focus on the 2023 WNBA season with her new squad, Phoenix Mercury, and turned down the invite from the German Basketball Federation. The "Südeutsche Zeitung" broke the news on Sabally's surprising withdrawal.
"We've held numerous chats with Satou and wished she'd be on the team. Ultimately, we understand her reasons and her decision," said DBB Vice President Armin Andres. "Still, we've got a rock-solid team ready to rock the court."
While Sabally suited up for Germany at the Paris Olympics, her sister Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are expected to hit the hardwood for the Euro Championship, from June 18-29. Both WNBA titlists of the New York Liberty should join the team shortly before the tournament kicks off, as the WNBA doesn't halt play for Euro Championship.
Coach Lisa Thomaidis plans to convene the team on May 25. For their initial battle in Bamberg, Thomaidis nominated 16 players. In Hamburg, the German team takes on Sweden (June 19), Spain (June 20), and Great Britain (June 22), with the finals unfolding in Piraeus.
- Hamburg
- Women's Basketball
- New York Liberty
- Euro Championship
- Preliminary Round
- Germany
- Phoenix Mercury
- Olympics
- The preliminary round of the Euro Championship will take place in Hamburg, where the German women's basketball team will look to make a strong showing despite the potential absence of Satou Sabally.
- Sabally, a WNBA star for the Phoenix Mercury, has chosen to prioritize her league's 2023 season over playing for Germany in the Euro Championship.
- The New York Liberty, another WNBA team, will be represented in the Euro Championship by their champions, Nyara Sabally and Leonie Fiebich.
- Despite the unexpected withdrawal of Satou Sabally, the German women's basketball team, led by coach Lisa Thomaidis, remains optimistic and prepared for the upcoming Euro Championship.
