German basketball players reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time and face Belgium
Quick Look
- The German women's national basketball team has reached the quarter-finals of the home World Cup for the first time and will face European champions Belgium in Berlin today.
- Star player Leonie Fiebich is still struggling with her shooting percentage, while national coach Olaf Lange is hoping for an improvement.
- Belgium is relying on the experienced Emma Meesseman, who dominated both last European Championship tournaments as MVP.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The German women's national basketball team reached the quarterfinals of the home World Cup for the first time. In the past, Germany and Belgium have met several times at major events, with Belgium clearly winning at the 2023 European Championships, while Germany surprisingly won at the 2024 Olympic tournament in Lille.
Germany's basketball players delight spectators at the home World Cup. For the first time they are in the quarter-finals of a World Cup. Now it's against one of the top favorites in Berlin. European champion Belgium awaits in the fight for a place in the semi-finals today (5.45 p.m./ProSieben Maxx and Magentasport). This is what you need to pay attention to in the highly anticipated game in the Uber Arena.
Leonie Fiebich
The star player of the German team is still struggling with her throw at the World Cup. Against South Korea, only one of six attempts from the field found its way into the basket. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is the most important player in the German team. “I would prefer never to replace them,” said national coach Olaf Lange. “She gives the team incredible security when she’s on the floor.” Nevertheless, he still expects his leader to improve. «She knows what the hour has come. She will do it again against Belgium.”
Emma Meesseman
The 33-year-old is probably the best player in Europe and the linchpin of the Belgian game. The 1.93 meter woman was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP) at both the 2023 and 2025 European Championships and scored the most points in the tournament both times. Lange knows Belgium's stars from their time together in Yekaterinburg in Russia. He also most recently coached Meesseman at the New York Liberty in the WNBA. “She is an exceptional player.”
The most recent duels
Both teams know each other very well. They met at the last two major events. At the European Championships last year, the Belgians were clearly too strong in the quarter-finals and prevailed with a difference of 24 points. The selection of the German Basketball Federation achieved a surprising success at the start of the 2024 Olympic tournament in Lille - the game ended 83:69. Lange doesn't want to watch the games again. “I don’t have time for that,” said Lange, given the tight schedule of games at the World Cup.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
German basketball players will lose their quarter-finals against Belgium.
Likely · Within hours
Leonie Fiebich will improve her throwing performance in the game against Belgium.
Possible · Within hours
Open Questions
- Can Leonie Fiebich increase her shooting percentage against Belgium?
- What tactical adjustments will Olaf Lange make?
- How will the atmosphere in Uber Arena affect the game?
