The German basketball players failed in the fight for an European Championship medal on gold favorite Belgium. The selection of the German Basketball Federation (DBB) around leader Leonie Fiebich ultimately lost her quarter -finals in Piraeus without a chance with 59:83 (36:41). Led by the outstanding exceptional player Emma Meesseman, the defending champion was one size too big – and the Germans continue to wait for the first precious metal since bronze in 1997.
Luisa Geiselsöder and Frieda Bühner were the best throwers for Germany with 13 points each, Messeman shone with 30 points for Belgium. The DBB selection will continue on Friday in the placement round against Turkey, depending on the exit, she will then play fifth or seven against Lithuania or Czech Republic on Sunday.
The replacement -weakened team of national coach Lisa Thomaidis has reached its minimum goal with the quarter -finals. And at least now the second best EM position has been available since the bronze medal 28 years ago. At the European Championship 2023, the first participation in twelve years, the German women had become sixth.
The national coach, on the other hand, may have gained some knowledge with a view to the 2026 World Cup in Berlin. After the sisters Satou and Nyara Sabally from the WNBA and the injury to captain Marie Gülich, her team had been careful in the group phase of Hamburg. However, it also indicated that this squad could be too thin for the absolute tip. The Saballys and Gülich should be there again for the medal hunt at the World Cup.
In phases, Germany was already able to keep up with the best. After the national team in preparation without Fiebich and Luisa Geiselsöder had lost two tests against Belgium with more than 30 points, the quarter -finals started well: Geiselsöder alone met three three in a row early in the game. But in the second quarter, the momentum threatened to tip over for the first time in favor of the favorites. The German throwing rates went back, especially in the zone the German team was too harmless, and Alexandra Wilke had to be treated with a laceration. Belgium, on the other hand, reliably scored over Fastbreaks, although Meesseman was hard to stop.
Even after the break, Germany got little access to the Belgian exceptional cloak. Meesseman met out of all locations, and Julie Vanloo, Julie Allerand and Kyara Linskens also scored in two digits. Consequently, the Germans were quickly behind with 15 points and had nothing to do in the final quarter.
