For the first time in 26 years, the German basketball players are in the quarter-finals of a European championship.
The team of national coach Lisa Thomaidis won 79:69 (44:36) against Slovakia in Ljubljana and can even hope for a medal after the convincing success in the so-called crossover game. In the quarter-finals against co-favorite Spain this Thursday (8.45 p.m. / Magentasport), a win would be a sporting sensation.
“I’m just super proud that we’ve made it this far. Our goal was the second round and now we’re in the quarter-finals,” said the outstanding Marie Gülich. Coach Thomaidis was euphoric and said: “We have an enthusiastic and exciting group here.”
Gülich and Fiebich lead the team to victory
It was the third European Championship victory in a row, before that there had been narrow successes against hosts Slovenia (66:62) and Great Britain (62:61). After 16 years of waiting for a win, the German women’s basketball team has now achieved three European Championship successes within five days.
The best players were Marie Gülich (26 points, nine rebounds) and again Leonie Fiebich, who this time contributed 15 points and eight rebounds. Fiebich’s track record at the tournament is impeccable, appearing in all three wins and missing out on the opening defeat by France.
It is the first German participation in the European Championship in twelve years. The Canadian Thomaidis took over the team this spring and could give up the post after the tournament. The EM was actually planned as a stopover on the way to the home World Cup in 2026. Now a medal and participation in an Olympic qualifying tournament are within reach. One of the first five places would have to be achieved for this.
