Women's basketball secures a triumph at the onset of the European Championships, with Dirk Nowitzki in attendance and demonstrating his support.
Bouncing Back with Style: Geiselöder's Stellar Debut Sparks German Victory
Hamburg - The German women's basketball team started their European Championship journey on a high note, notching up a victorious 89:76 win against Sweden in their opening match. As the home crowd in Hamburg cheered, the team dedicated the victory to none other than basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, who graced their match on his 47th birthday.
"Winning our first game is always a huge relief," said national coach Lisa Thomaidis to MagentaSport. "I'm incredibly proud of the team." The victory took Germany one step closer to the knockout round, as they aim to finish second in their group to secure their place. Their next challenge comes in the form of Spain on Friday (20:00 CET/Magentasport). Spain, who beat Great Britain 85:70 in their opening match, will present a formidable opponent.
Nowitzki Brings Good Fortune
Anticipation filled the camp as the team eagerly awaited Nowitzki's presence. True to form, the legend didn't disappoint, making his way to the Inselpark Arena just before the game. Before pressing the buzzer to officially start the preliminary round games in the Hanseatic city, he took a moment to applaud the entire German team.
The presence of Nowitzki seemed to invigorate the team, especially young star Luisa Geiselöder, who made a stellar debut despite joining the team only over the weekend and missing the majority of their preparation. Geiselöder, born in Ansbach, Germany, on February 10, 2000, is a rising star in the world of basketball, currently dominating the courts for the Dallas Wings in the WNBA and Basket Landes in the French Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB)[1][3].
Geiselöder's Unstoppable Form
Geiselöder demonstrated her capabilities right from the opening whistle, scoring eight points in the first quarter. Her performance was bolstered by teammate Leonie Fiebich, who contributed with two vital three-pointers, pushing Germany to a 27:16 lead after just ten minutes. Both players had flown in despite the ongoing WNBA season to join the first European Championship games in Germany[1].
Against Sweden, Germany admirably coped with the absences of WNBA stars Satou and Nyara Sabally, as well as captain Marie Gülich due to a cruciciate ligament injury. At halftime, the hosts were leading by 17 points thanks to Geiselöder's impressive form. After the break, Sweden rallied, narrowing the gap to six points. But when the pressure was on, it was Geiselöder once again who stepped up, calming the nerves of the inexperienced German team with two crucial three-pointers. In the final quarter, Fiebich, Geiselöder and Frieda Bünner ensured that Germany maintained their lead until the final buzzer.
[1] https://en.wikibasket.com/wiki/Luisa_Geiselsöder[3] https://www.eurobasket.com/2020-21/womens/european-championships/statistics/players.aspx?countries=GERMANY&competitions=10&measures=MP&measureOrder=measures[0]&order=desc&periods=SEASON
In the midst of excitement, rising star Luisa Geiselöder showcased her exceptional skills in basketball during Germany's victory against Sweden, scoring points and contributing to the team's lead. The presence of basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki, who celebrated his birthday during the game, seemed to have an invigorating effect on the young player.
