Gone but Not Forgotten: Germany Girls Shine Amid Absences, Kick off EuroBasket With a Win
Celebrating his birthday, Nowitzki exhilarates: Europe's female basketball team initiates a promising tournament run.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link The German basketball squad, buoyed by the inspiration of Dirk Nowitzki on his birthday, kicked off EuroBasket 2022 with a triumphant 89-76 victory against Sweden, despite key players' absences.
The packed Inselpark Arena in Hamburg witnessed a basketball spectacle on a night adorned with "An Tagen wie diesen," as an electric atmosphere enveloped the arena, courtesy of the icon Dirk Nowitzki's presence.
Despite being without three of their top guns, the German team displayed bravery, putting up a formidable performance for most of the game. The unwavering spirit and determination resulting from the celebratory evening left fans yearning for more, notwithstanding a nail-biting final stretch after holding an 18-point advantage.
A force to reckon with
Luisa Geiselöder, star of the night, led the scoring with 20 points, while Frieda Büchner, a double threat, tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds. With four DBB players registering double-digit scores, the home team showcased its mettle and aspiration to bring home the first EuroBasket medal since 1997.
Their competitors in Group D, Spain, the reigning vice-European champions, await on Friday (8:00 PM), followed by Britain on Sunday (6:00 PM) on MagentaSport. Spain, predicted to be a front-runner, overpowered Britain 85-70 in their initial match. The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals in Piraeus, Greece, en route to the final round.
The German women's basketball team has enjoyed a competitive streak, following their quarterfinal appearance at the Olympics in Paris and the 3x3 gold medal triumph. The current squad is eager to sustain this momentum at EuroBasket.
Dirk's Influence
With Nowitzki providing motivation, the German team roared to an early lead, 8-2, and maintained their dominance throughout the game. Fiebich’s three-pointer to make it 19-4 after just seven minutes left the crowd in awe.
Not just Fiebich and the offensively and defensively potent Geiselöder from WNBA Dallas Wings set the tone for this German show, but players such as playmaker Alexis Peterson, and young sensations like reserve player Frieda Büchner, who scored a double-double, as well as the 23-year-old Emily Bessoir, also shone.
The trio's absence, attributed to Satou's WNBA commitments, Sabally's knee troubles, and Gülich's ACL injury, was barely noticeable on this momentous evening, until the third quarter, when the German team faltered, allowing Sweden to narrow the gap to just six points (53-47) with a 12-0 run. Fiebich brought calm to the crowd and pummeled in crucial three-pointers during this crucial phase.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
Insights:
- The team played without the presence of top players in Satou, Nyara Sabally, and captain Marie Gülich, but exhibited resilience in their win against Sweden.
- The victory marks Germany's ambition to secure their first EuroBasket medal since 1997.
- Despite their strong performance, Spain poses a formidable challenge for Germany in their next match.
- Fiebich and her teammates have set a positive trajectory for future competitions following their Olympic and 3x3 gold medal triumphs.
Sports fans in Europe have another team to keep an eye on as the German basketball squad, bolstered by the spirit of Dirk Nowitzki, demonstrated their potential at the EuroBasket 2022 tournament. Despite the absences of key players, the team showcased their skills in both NBA-style basketball and three-on-three competitions, gaining attention as a contender for the first EuroBasket medal since 1997. Their upcoming matches against Spain and Britain on MagentaSport will be telling indicators of their progress, with Spain, a formidable competitor, already securing a win in their initial match.
