EuroBasket Opener: German Women Triumph Despite Absent Stars, Delight Dirk Nowitzki
DBB women begin European Championship journey triumphantly, with celebrated player Nowitzki on hand to celebrate.
Immer theibly was hoping for, the German women's basketball team kicked off their EuroBasket preliminary round at home with a well-deserved victory against Sweden. And who better to share the joy with than the team's idol, Dirk Nowitzki, on his birthday?
The Inselpark Arena in Hamburg turned into a madhouse as Dirk stood up to cheer the German team to their impressive victory. Led by star player Leonie Fiebich, the DBB team took a significant first step towards the quarterfinals, despite some tense moments.
"This first win is a massive relief," said head coach Lisa Thomaidis on MagentaSport. "I'm incredibly proud of the team and how hard they fought back. This win gives us more confidence. I'm proud that we pulled this off in front of a full house."
With a sold-out crowd of 3414 spectators, the German team put on a strong performance, showcasing their fearlessness and promising more great basketball. Even when the lead got close in the final stages, the young team held their nerve.
The Young Gun's Shine
Luisa Geiselöder led the German scoring with 20 points, Frieda Buhner chalked up a double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds), and Fiebich scored 16 points. Four DBB players scored in double figures, proving that despite the absence of three star players, the 2023 squad is still more than capable of winning its first medal since the 1997 EuroBasket bronze.
The Germans are set to face vice-European champion Spain on Friday (8 pm) and Britain on Sunday (6 pm, both on MagentaSport). While Spain, a favorite, beat underdog Britain 85:70 in their opening game, the top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held in Piraeus, Greece, along with the rest of the final round.
The German women have had a great run recently, reaching the quarterfinals at the Olympics in Paris and winning the 3x3 gold medal. Fiebich and her teammates are aiming to keep that momentum going at EuroBasket. They've made a strong start.
A Boost from Dirk
Perhaps it was Nowitzki's motivational pep talk, as he high-fived each player before the game, that gave the German team the edge. They played with great energy, dominating the overwhelmed Swedish opponents from the start.
Indeed, it wasn't just Fiebich and Geiselöder who made their mark on the game. Playmaker Alexis Peterson and young players like Frieda Buhner and Emily Bessoir were fantastic too. The absence of top players Satou Sabally, Nyara Sabally, and captain Marie Gülich due to WNBA commitments, knee issues, and an ACL tear was hardly noticeable on Thursday evening[2][3].
The team faltered slightly in the third quarter, allowing Sweden to close the gap to just six points (53:47) with a 12:0 run. But Fiebich stepped up, taking responsibility and hitting crucial three-pointers in this critical phase.
[2] - "WNBA Obligations and Injuries Affect EuroBasket Roster": ntv.de, tno/sid[3] - "The German Women's Basketball Team Flourishes Despite WNBA and Injury Issues": ntv.de, tno/sid
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- The victory in the EuroBasket opener by the German women's basketball team was a testament to their resilience, even without three star players due to WNBA commitments, knee issues, and an ACL tear.
- The WNBA's top league, along with the NBA, involves intense sports-analysis that clearly benefits players like Satou Sabally and Nyara Sabally, who were unavailable for the EuroBasket.
- Despite their absence, the young players in the German team, such as Luisa Geiselöder, Frieda Buhner, and Emily Bessoir, stepped up to deliver impressive performances, proving their worth in sports-analysis and on the court.
