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Celebratory cheers from Nowitzki as DBB women kick off European Cup dream.

Three key players have failed to show up.

Celebratory shouts from Nowitzki as DBB women kick off European Championship adventure successfully
Celebratory shouts from Nowitzki as DBB women kick off European Championship adventure successfully

EuroBasket Women 2025: Dream Start for DBB Despite Top Players' Absence

Celebratory cheers from Nowitzki as DBB women kick off European Cup dream.

Get ready for a wild ride! The German basketball team is off to a flying start in the EuroBasket preliminaries, aided by a home crowd that's as pumped up as Dirk Nowitzki himself on his 47th birthday.

Amidst the hype and anticipation, it's clear that the DBB squad, under the leadership of Leonie Fiebich, had every reason to celebrate. With a nail-biting victory against Sweden, the team made a promising first step towards the quarterfinals and sent the crowd at the sold-out Inselpark Arena in Hamburg into a frenzy.

While the win was a much-needed relief for head coach Lisa Thomaidis, the team's extraordinary performance was more than that – it was a testament to their determination and resilience, especially given the absence of three star players.

A Party in Hamburg

It was a night of basketball magic, as the German team stole the show, putting on a strong performance for most of the game. With their fearlessness and intimidating presence, the young athletes made even the toughest opponents feel overwhelmed, and it wasn't long before they took control of the match.

Luisa Geiselöder shone brightest on the night with a stunning 20 points, while Frieda Bührer delivered a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds). Fiebich chipped in with 16 points, and four DBB players scored in double figures – a clear sign that the team is more than ready to take on the competition, despite missing some key players.

The Quest for Gold

With their sights set on the first medal since 1997, Germany is up against tough opponents in Preliminary Round Group D. Spain, the vice-European champion, comes next (June 22, 8 p.m.), followed by Great Britain on June 24 (6 p.m.). The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held in Piraeus, Greece.

After an exhilarating Olympic performance and a historic 3x3 gold medal victory, the German women's basketball team is on a high and determined to maintain their momentum at EuroBasket. This first win is only the beginning.

The Power of Motivation

Perhaps, it was Dirk Nowitzki's motivational boost that gave the team an extra edge before taking to the court. With a pre-game hug for each player, the basketball legend undoubtedly played a crucial role in getting the team's spirit soaring.

As the German team prepares to face Great Britain on June 22, they'll look to continue their dominance and keep their journey towards a podium finish going strong. Here's to an incredible EuroBasket ride for the German team!

[1] ntv.de, tno/sid[2] EuroBasket 2025 Preliminary Round Group D Schedule and Results (Link)[3] German Basketball Federation (Link)[4] Basketball Insights (https://www.basketballinsights.com/german-womens-basketball-team-missing-top-players-at-eurobasket-2025/)

The German basketball team's resilience and determination were on display during EuroBasket Women 2025, as they put on a strong performance despite missing some key players, establishing themselves as a formidable force in the competition. With the NBA's influence evident, it's clear that basketball is not just a sport in Germany, but an all-out European championships spectacle.

As they prepare for their match against Great Britain, the team aims to maintain their momentum and continue their quest for gold, emulating the success they've had thus far and keeping their EuroBasket journey going strong.

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