General probe in London - Female basketball players lose Olympic test to USA clearly
German women basketball players suffered a clear loss against World Champions USA as expected at the Olympic preliminary in London. Coach Lisa Thomaidis' team lost despite a good performance for over three quarters, with a score of 57:84 (32:44).
Before their Olympic debut, the German women had won all six test games. The test against Great Britain on Sunday was interrupted after three quarters due to a medical emergency on the bench.
The US team, led by Diana Taurasi aiming for her sixth Olympic gold medal in Paris, is considered a clear favorite for the upcoming tournament. Since 1996, US women have won every gold medal at the Summer Games. Their last Olympic loss was in 1992 in Barcelona.
A quarterfinal entry would be "an absolute surprise"
Sabally, who plays in the North American professional league WNBA for the Dallas Wings, was out for months due to a shoulder operation and had to withdraw sickly in the end. Her comeback was suboptimal: The 26-year-old scored eight points but only made three of her 17 shots. Best German scorer was Luisa Geiselsöder (15 points). For the USA, A’ja Wilson (19 points, 14 rebounds) stood out.
In the Olympic preliminary round in Lille, Thomaidis' team will face European champions Belgium, Japan, and once again the USA. The London re-match is scheduled for August 4. "The quarterfinals would already be a great success. The entry to Paris would be an absolute surprise, we have to be honest," said Vice President Armin Andres about the situation of the basketball players. He added: "It's not much better than that."
- The German women's basketball team, despite their successful Generalprobe before the Olympics, faced a challenging match against the United States in Lille.
- Prior to their Olympic debut, the German National team had an impressive winning streak in six test games, including a victory against the United Kingdom in London, which was halted due to a medical emergency.
- Lisa Thomaidis, the coach of the German team, led her players against the formidable United States team, who are aiming for their sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
- The United Kingdom, like Germany, is also participating in the Olympic basketball tournament, and their team will face a tough match against Belgium in the preliminary round.
- The US women's basketball team, led by Diana Taurasi, is considered a strong contender for the Olympic title in Paris, having won every gold medal at the Summer Games since 1996, with their last loss being in Barcelona in 1992.
- Sabally, a member of the German National team and a player in the WNBA, had to withdraw from the match against the US due to a medical issue, limiting her contribution to eight points from 17 shots.
- The upcoming Olympic basketball tournament in Paris promises to be an exciting event, with the German women aiming for a quarterfinal entry, which would be considered a significant success given their previous performances, and the United States aiming for their sixth consecutive gold medal.
