Germany’s basketball players have actually made it. They are in the knockout round at the Olympics. That was unthinkable years ago.
After their historic quarter-final appearance at the Olympic Games, the German basketball players danced wildly across the floor. For the first time ever, the women’s team of the German Basketball Association qualified for the Summer Games, and now, after two wins in two matches, they have already secured their ticket for the knockout round in Paris. The 75:64 win against Japan in Lille made their early progress perfect.
“It’s unbelievable. I’m incredibly proud of this team and what they’ve achieved together,” said national coach Lisa Thomaidis. “It’s a small miracle.”
Remarkable development
When the Canadian took over the team in 2023, German women’s basketball played no role at all internationally. But within a year, Thomaidis has managed to form a team that opponents now have a lot of respect for and that defies all adversities.
Against Japan, WNBA pro Nyara Sabally was a very important player who missed the game because of a slight concussion she suffered in the Belgium game. In the second quarter, another US legionnaire, Leonie Fiebich, twisted her ankle and was only able to continue playing with pain. But the German team was not deterred by this and, thanks to 33 points from star player Satou Sabally, secured an early place in the quarterfinals. Dennis Schröder’s men had already achieved this on Tuesday.
Satou Sabally wins race against time
“You just have to deal with the ups and downs. That’s what makes a great and good team,” said Satou Sabally, who herself was out for months due to a shoulder injury sustained in Brazil during the qualifying tournament and has not yet played a game in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings this season.
But the 26-year-old has won the race against time and is fit in time for the Olympic premiere of German women’s basketball. Against Japan, the leader took the team by the hand after a nervous start. With 23 points, she almost single-handedly ensured the six-point lead at halftime (42:36).
Luxury situation before USA game
After the break, Japan came out of the locker room strong and managed to equalize at 44:44. But Germany survived this difficult phase, not least because Fiebich gritted her teeth despite her injury and scored important points. Germany pulled ahead by ten points again and held on to their lead until the end.
The last group match against top favorite USA on Sunday is now largely meaningless. “It’s a luxury situation for us to be able to play against the best team in the world, but to already have our ticket secured,” said Thomaidis. “That was the dream goal, that we could go into this game relaxed,” said Fiebich before the duel with the superstars from the WNBA, the strongest women’s league in the world.
Source: Stern
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