Female participants in DBB events face decreased chances of encountering EM experiences compared to their counterparts.
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It's a heartbreaking end for the German basketball squad. After a valiant effort, they've been ousted from the Euro 2021 quarterfinals by the title-favorite Belgium, foreclosing the possibility of a medal since 1997.
Leonie Fiebich and her teammates gave it their all, but ultimately the Dream Team faltered against the exceptional performer Emma Meesseman, who registered an impressive 30 points for Belgium. Luisa Geiselsoeder and Frieda Buhner were the top German scorers with 13 points each.
The defeat comes as a bitter pill to swallow, but Germany still has a chance to finish with a respectable placement. They'll square off against Turkey on Friday, and depending on the outcome, they'll either face Lithuania or the Czech Republic for the fifth or seventh spot on Sunday.
Despite the disappointing result, the German team has managed to meet the minimum goal of qualifying for the quarterfinals. A secondary goal of securing the second-best European Championship finish since the bronze medal 28 years ago remains within reach.
The team, coached by Lisa Thomaidis, has shown grit during the competition, but the loss of key players such as Sabally and Nyara Sabally from the WNBA, as well as the injury of captain Marie Gulich, has left the squad somewhat depleted. With these players potentially returning for the World Cup 2026 in Berlin, there's hope that the team can contend for the top spots.
The European Championship 2021 - A Springboard to World Cup 2026
Though the hopes for a medal in Euro 2021 have vanished, the Germans have shown they can compete with the best. After a series of losses to Belgium in preparation without Fiebich and Geiselsoeder, the quarterfinal match began promisingly. The underdogs started strong, hitting three-pointers from all positions, with Geiselsoeder leading the charge.
However, the Belgians' scoring prowess proved too much for the Germans, with Meesseman consistently finding the net. The tone of the game shifted in the second quarter, as the Germans struggled to maintain their initial momentum. Injury to Alexandra Wilke further compounded their struggles, while the Belgians scored easily via fast breaks.
Despite a valiant effort in the second half, the Germans found themselves trailing by 15 points. In the final quarter, they couldn't mount a comeback, with Belgium ultimately running away with the win.
Source: ntv.de, ter/sid
Note: The German women's basketball team has consistently qualified for European championships over the years, but they've yet to secure a podium finish in recent editions. In Euro 2021, they managed to reach the quarterfinals before being ousted by Belgium. Germany will host part of EuroBasket Women 2025, which serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The home-court advantage and experience gained through high-level competition are expected to position the team well for the 2026 World Cup.
Sports enthusiasts may be disappointed that the German women's basketball team didn't secure a medal in Euro 2021, but sports-betting enthusiasts should keep an eye on their future performances. With the team hosting part of EuroBasket Women 2025, a qualifying event for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, they'll have the home-court advantage and valuable experience gained through high-level competition, increasing their chances of contending for top spots in future tournaments.
