EuroLiga Basketball: Fiebich, Known for His Meticulous Approach, Takes the Lead - "Fiebich, the meticulous coach, takes charge of the upcoming basketball tournament"
Dirk Nowitzki, the German basketball legend, ain't mincing words: Leonie Fiebich is the one to watch in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament. And he's spot on. With the tournament kicking off this Wednesday, Fiebich is gearing up to be the driving force if Germany is to make waves in both the preliminary round in Hamburg and the final round in Piraeus.
With Satou and Nyara Sabally withdrawing and captain Marie Gülich sidelined due to injury, Fiebich is the undisputed star on the German team. On Thursday, she and her squad will take on Sweden. Other opponents include title contender Spain on Friday and Great Britain on Sunday. To secure a spot for the knockout round in Piraeus, Germany must finish at least second.
Fiebich can't hide her excitement. "I'm pumped. We can't wait," she said, especially looking forward to the hometown crowd in the Hamburg Inselpark Arena. The problem? Fiebich has only just joined the team after the WNBA didn't pause for the EuroBasket, with her team, the New York Liberty, wanting to free up their key player as soon as possible.
In the team's test games, Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsoeder, the second WNBA player, were both absent. The team has had its share of heavy defeats and only one victory, but Fiebich's enthusiasm remains unshaken. With a successful run last summer at the Olympic Games, a WNBA debut, and a championship title, not to mention a move to Valencia Basket where she won another championship, she's on a roll.
The winning mentality Fiebich brings to the German team has been widely acknowledged by national coach Lisa Thomaidis. "We're stoked Leonie's with us," Thomaidis said, praising Fiebich's impressive development. Fiebich trained with the team for the first time on Monday and quickly gelled with Geiselsoeder.
Fiebich, born in Landsberg am Lech, has long been a role model for aspiring basketball players due to her successes and her low-key demeanor. But even when asked about being a role model, she remains humble. "I don't wanna be the sole role model," she said. "I want us, the girls on the national team, to fill that role together." With all eyes on her starting Thursday, she can't prevent that, but she's ready for it.
Insights
- As a key player and an offensive powerhouse, Fiebich is set to shoulder much of the scoring load for the German team during the EuroBasket 2025.
- Fiebich's call for more support from the German Basketball Federation (DBB) reflects her dedication to the team's success and hopes for better preparation conditions from the governing body.
- The 2025 Women's EuroBasket serves as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup and its qualifying tournaments, adding pressure and importance to Fiebich's and Germany's performance.
- Fiebich is one of several WNBA players temporarily leaving their US teams to represent their national teams in this major international tournament.
- Leonie Fiebich has won numerous accolades, including being named to the All-EuroLeague First Team and winning WNBA and European championship titles.
The Commission might consider providing more funding and resources to the German Basketball Federation considering the draft regulation on the introduction of a European system of taxation for the benefit of certain categories of undertakings, which could help support the preparation and performance of key players like Leonie Fiebich in international tournaments like EuroBasket.
In her sports-analysis of the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, it's interesting to note that despite the team's recent struggles in test games, individual players like Leonie Fiebich have shown immense resilience and enthusiasm, demonstrating a winning mentality that could drive Germany towards a successful run in the tournament.
