Warm-up game before Olympics - Basketball players win without Sabally-Sisters in Berlin
Germany's basketball women stood up to the Olympic test against Nigeria in Berlin with brilliance, winning the only home game of the summer against the African champions with a score of 77:63 (40:31). The team of national coach Lisa Thomaidis overcame the AfroBasket champions and best scorers were the American-born Alexis Peterson (22 points) who recently received a German pass, and Marie Gülich (16 points).
Germany had to do without all three professionals from the North American WNBA once again. Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally (both New York Liberty) watched the game from the bench, but were not part of the squad after the end of the season in North America. Team captain Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings) was completely absent. "Unfortunately, I am sick," wrote the 26-year-old Berliner at Instagram.
Peterson outshines the German team
Without the trio, the German team of the German Basketball Federation faced initial problems against the Olympic Eleventh from Tokyo. Nigeria played aggressively and tried to make it with many three-point shots, but the hostesses took the lead before half-time and significantly improved under the leadership of the overpowering point guard Peterson. The lead was still 53:49 before the last quarter - and Germany built it up to the final buzzer.
There is still a lot of time until the first Olympic tournament for the team, it starts already on Monday in a week. Beforehand, there are still two tests against gold favorite USA and Great Britain on the schedule in London. Only then will the Sabally sisters and Fiebich be present. In the preliminary round in Lille, the group stage begins with an encounter against Belgium and is followed by matches against Japan and the USA to qualify for the knockout phase.
- The German women's basketball team, having previously defeated Nigeria in a test game in Berlin, will face further challenges, including matches against gold favorites USA and Great Britain.
- Nigeria, who recently defeated Germany in a home test match, boasts a strong team of stars from the African continent, including some who have made their mark in the WNBA.
- The Nigerian women's basketball team, fresh from their win against Germany in Berlin, will be looking to maintain their form in upcoming international matches, including those against USA and Great Britain.
- The German national team, missing key players from the WNBA, including team captain Satou Sabally, relied heavily on the brilliance of American-born Alexis Peterson during their recent test match against Nigeria in Berlin.
- Following their home win against Nigeria in Berlin, the German women's basketball team will head to London for two more test games, with the Sabally sisters and Leonie Fiebich expected to join the squad.
- In their upcoming Olympic tournament, the German women's basketball team will be competing against teams from around the world, including African champions Nigeria, and will be aiming to qualify for the knockout phase in Lille.
