Germany’s women’s basketball team are making history. At the World Cup on home soil, they have comfortably beaten the European champions. They are just one win away from a potential dream final against the USA.
Nyara Sabally held the Player of the Match trophy aloft as if it were the World Cup trophy, whilst in the front row a thoroughly delighted Dirk Nowitzki clapped: Germany’s women’s basketball team celebrated their historic first-ever World Cup semi-final berth almost as if it were a title win. In fact, the resounding 93–74 (42–35) victory over European champions Belgium in Berlin gave Leonie Fiebich and her team-mates the chance to win their first ever medal.
The outstanding Sabally (16 points, 12 rebounds) spontaneously thought of “ice cream and kebabs” when the spectacular basketball coup was achieved in front of 10,537 spectators. Party classics such as “Tage wie diese” and “Perfekte Welle” were already blaring at full volume through the arena in light of Germany’s commanding lead, even before the match had finished.
Fiebich “proud of every player”
“That was an incredible experience. We’re glad to have this match behind us. We’re not stopping here,” said national coach Olaf Lange after the biggest victory in the history of German women’s basketball. Just one more win against France on Saturday (4.30 pm) stands between the team and a potential dream final against the USA.
“It’s really surreal right now. Look at our team – I’m so proud of every single player,” said Fiebich, who contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds and was fighting back tears afterwards. One win from two matches is enough to secure a medal. “This is a historic moment in sport for our women’s basketball team. Now is the time for tears and goosebumps,” said pundit Per Günther. The bronze medal match (4.30 pm) and the final (8.00 pm) will take place on Sunday.
For the German women’s basketball team, this is already their greatest achievement ever. A few years ago, the team was considered second-rate on the international stage; now it has reached the very top of the world rankings. And this despite the absence of their best player, Satou Sabally, and a 30-point defeat to Spain at the start of the World Cup following a bumpy run-up to the tournament. But that was followed by three convincing victories against Japan, Mali and South Korea – and now this unexpected triumph over Belgium.
Belgium get off to a strong start
“They’re in a different league to Japan, Mali or South Korea. This will be a moment where we’ll see just how far we’ve come,” Lange had warned before the match. “If we get off to a good start and defend well, we’ve got nothing to be afraid of.”
At first, however, it was clear just how important this match was to the German team. Belgium started strongly, largely because superstar Emma Meesseman was wide awake right from the start. The 33-year-old scored the first five points, leaving Germany playing catch-up from the outset.
Unlike in the previous matches of the tournament, Fiebich got off to a good start this time. The German captain sank her first two three-pointers and led the home side in impressive fashion. Sabally and playmaker Alexis Peterson also put in stellar performances.
Lange had long predicted Fiebich’s burst of form. “She knows what’s at stake and will step up against Belgium,” the national coach had said of the 2024 WNBA champion. Spurred on by a strong Fiebich, the rest of the team also raised their game and played a strong first quarter. After ten minutes, Germany led the European champions 22–19.
German team in a frenzy
At the start of the second quarter, the DBB squad briefly went into a frenzy and pulled 13 points clear (34–21). The spectators in the Uber Arena were on their feet with excitement; even Nowitzki was cheering from the front row.
At last year’s European Championships, the Belgian women had been far too strong in the quarter-finals, winning by a 24-point margin. But the current German team bears little resemblance to that side. Lange has imbued the DBB squad with a clear style of play, stabilising them particularly in defence. At half-time, Germany were seven points ahead (42–35).
Belgium appeared visibly taken aback by Germany’s strong performance. The European champions could find no answer to the ferocious German side. Fiebich and her team-mates pulled 18 points clear at one stage and went into the final quarter with a 15-point lead. The German women kept up the pace there too and were celebrated by the fans after the match. “Everyone can deliver – that’s what makes our team special,” said Fiebich.