Head coach Olaf Lange’s squad secured their first victory of the tournament in front of 8,367 spectators at the sold-out Max-Schmeling-Halle, bouncing back swiftly from a 53–83 loss to medal contender Spain just a day prior.
Turning the Tide After a Rough Opening Night
Germany set the tone early against Japan, establishing a 7–2 lead and building confidence across their offensive sets. By the end of the opening ten minutes, the hosts built a commanding 28–11 advantage, fueled by a streak of three consecutive three-pointers from Nyara Sabally and Frieda Bühner. Although Japan mounted a resilient defensive effort in the middle quarters, cutting into the margin, Germany maintained control.
At halftime, the score stood at 34–29 in favor of the hosts. Coach Lange guided his team back on course during the break, allowing Germany to pull away again in the third quarter. Bühner opened the final frame with another successful shot from beyond the arc, restoring a 19-point cushion that the team protected through the final buzzer.
Guard Leonie Fiebich had outlined the immediate recovery plan following the tournament opener, noting the focus turned directly to rest and preparation.
Standout Performers and Roster Adjustments
Frieda Bühner led all German scorers with 19 points. Nyara Sabally added 18 points, Marie Gülich chipped in 11, and Emma Eichmeyer contributed 10, rounding out a balanced offensive effort with four players reaching double digits.
The victory came despite a notable roster absence. Despite missing a key playmaker, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) selection delivered a much sharper performance than they managed against Spain.
Group Standings and Path Forward
Following a scheduled rest day on Monday, Germany faces Mali in its final preliminary round fixture. A victory against Mali would guarantee the team a direct advancement to the tournament’s quarterfinals.
Tournament format rules dictate that group winners advance straight to the round of the final eight. Teams finishing second and third must navigate the play-in rounds to secure the remaining quarterfinal berths.
