Climbing Higher in European Women's basketball: A Step Forward with Fifth Place
Longest winning streak since 1997: Girls' basketball team secures fifth position
Piraeus (dpa) - Germany's women's basketball team secured a significant milestone in their European Championship history, finishing fifth at EuroBasket Women 2023 since 1997. This achievement comes after a strong controlled game against the Czech Republic, ending with a score of 81:70 (37:32), with WNBA stars Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsöder leading the charge.
Despite the absence of Satou, Nyara Sabally, and captain Marie Gülich due to injury, Germany has demonstrated a rising trend in the sport of basketball. Their prowess was showcased at the 2023 European Championship, where they clinched sixth place. At the year's Olympics in Paris, the team ventured even further into the quarterfinals.
Post-game, naturalized point guard Alexis Peterson shared her thoughts with Magentasport, stating, "This was a massive result for us, considering the circumstances. This signifies a significant leap for German basketball. We're eager for next year."
Boosting Confidence for the Home World Cup
Although Germany had a rocky start in the group stage in Hamburg, with two wins and a loss, and a clear defeat to title defender Belgium in the quarterfinals in Piraeus, the team managed to bounce back by winning both placement games against Turkey and the Czech Republic. These victories translated into valuable confidence-boosting experiences, looking forward to next year's World Cup in Berlin. Fiebich once again shone with 20 points during the Czech match.
Playing against the Czech Republic, a team that had defeated Germany in preparation without Fiebich and Geiselsöder's presence, the German team started off slowly, trailing 0:8 initially. However, the team quickly found their groove and held a five-point lead at halftime. Post-break, Germany extended their advantage and celebrated their victory with the few fans present at the Peace and Friendship Stadium.
In retrospect, EuroBasket Women 2023 showcases an evolving and increasingly competitive European women's basketball scene, with teams like Belgium emerging strongly, as witnessed by their first European title in 2023 and impressive performances in 2025. The continued climbing and contention by Germany within this environment suggests an exciting future for the team, aiming to challenge the likes of France, Spain, and other top European competitors.
[1]: Belgium claims their first European title at EuroBasket Women 2023[2]: Germany finishes fifth in EuroBasket Women 2023[3]: Belgium dominates Germany in the quarter-finals at EuroBasket Women 2023[4]: Germany participates in classification matches for placings 5 to 8 at EuroBasket Women 2025
In the aftermath of their fifth-place finish at EuroBasket Women 2023, Germany's women's basketball team, striving to boost confidence for the Home World Cup in Berlin, tuned in to a radio broadcast discussing their achievements. As WNBA stars Leonie Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsöder led the team's comeback against the Czech Republic, conversations about the mounting prowess of German basketball filled the airwaves, with the goal of challenging top European contenders such as France and Spain. As the team prepares for the World Cup, sports enthusiasts across the nation eagerly await their continued climb towards basketball greatness.
