Female basketball players lose pre-game against USA
After an previously flawless preparation, the women's basketball team had to give in to their first defeat just before the Olympics. In Lille, there is a revenge match against the World Champion.
The German women's basketball team suffered a clear loss against World Champion USA as expected at the Olympic test event in London. Coach Lisa Thomaidis' team lost despite an excellent performance for over three quarters, with a score of 57:84 (32:44). Sabally, who had been injured severely on her shoulder in mid-February and hadn't played for the national team since, returned but her performance was suboptimal. The 26-year-old scored eight points but only made three of her 17 shots. Best German scorer was Luisa Geiselsoeder with 15 points. For the USA, A'ja Wilson stood out with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
In the Olympic preliminary round in Lille, Thomaidis' team faces European champion Belgium, Japan, and once again the USA. The London rematch is scheduled for August 4. "Making it to the quarterfinals would be a great success. Making it to Paris would be an absolute surprise, we have to be honest about that," said Vice President Armin Andres about the situation of the basketball team. He added, "It doesn't get any worse than this."
The women's basketball team is determined to avenge their loss against the World Champion before the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. Despite their setback against USA in the Olympic test event, winning a quarterfinal spot in Lille would be considered a significant achievement for the German team.
