The dream of the first World Cup medal is alive: Germany's basketball players surprisingly reached the semi-finals at the home World Cup in Berlin and are fighting for the first precious metal in their history this weekend.

The dream of the first World Cup medal is alive: Germany's basketball players surprisingly reached the semi-finals at the home World Cup in Berlin and are fighting for the first precious metal in their history this weekend.

Led by the outstanding duo Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally, the German team clearly won against European champions Belgium 93:74 (42:35) in front of basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki and continued the festival in front of 10,537 spectators in the Uber Arena. Sabally scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Fiebich contributed 17 points.

Biggest success ever

In the semi-finals on Saturday (4.30 p.m.) Germany will now face France, who had no trouble at all in beating China 90:61 and underlined their title ambitions. In the second semi-final (8 p.m.), defending champion USA will face the winner of the duel between Spain and Australia after an easy 108:56 win against Hungary. The final and the game for third place will take place on Sunday.

For the German basketball players it is already the greatest success of all. A few years ago the team was second-rate internationally, but now it has reached the top of the world. And that despite the fact that Satou Sabally is missing the best player and, after a bumpy preparation for the start of the World Cup, there was a defeat by 30 points against Spain. But that was followed by three clear victories against Japan, Mali and South Korea - and now the unexpected coup against Belgium.

Belgium starts strong

“This is a different caliber than Japan, Mali or South Korea. “This will be a moment when we will see how much we have grown,” Lange warned before the game. “If we get off to a good start and defend well, we don’t have to hide.”

But first the German team noticed the importance of this game. Belgium started strongly, especially because superstar Emma Meesseman was wide awake from the start. The 33-year-old scored the first five points, Germany initially lagged behind.

Unlike in previous games in the tournament, Fiebich got off to a good start this time. The German leader hit her first two throws from distance and guided the host team in impressive fashion. Sabally and playmaker Alexis Peterson also came up big.

Fiebich's performance explosion had been predicted for a long time. “She knows what the hour has come and will step up against Belgium,” the national coach said about the 2024 WNBA champion. Supported by a strong Fiebich, the rest of the team also improved and played a strong first quarter. After ten minutes, Germany led against the European champions with 22:19.

German team in a frenzy

At the beginning of the second section, the DBB selection went into a bit of a frenzy for a short time and pulled away to 13 points (34:21). The spectators in the Uber Arena were thrilled, and Nowitzki also cheered in the front row.

At the European Championships last year, the Belgians were clearly too strong in the quarter-finals and prevailed with a difference of 24 points. But the current German team no longer has much to do with that team. For a long time, the DBB selection has given a clear signature and stabilized it, especially in defense. At the break, Germany was ahead by seven points (42:35).

Belgium seemed visibly surprised by the strong German performance. The European champions found no means against the furious German team. Fiebich and Co. temporarily gained 18 points and went into the final quarter with a 15-point lead. There too, the German women kept the pace high and were celebrated by the fans after the game.