The Saballys haven't represented Germany yet at a major international tournament at the senior level (Satou representing Germany at the 3x3 World Cup doesn't count IMO). I do not know the reason behind this.
Latvia beating Spain is a shocker. Steinberga and Laksa are good players, but surely Spain had the depth to overcome Latvia.
Surprised Germany gave France such a good game with Fiebich out. Germany need some half decent guards though. France look vulnerable to being knocked out before the semis without their two best players.
Greece beating Latvia after losing to Montenegro was unexpected.
France barely beat Great Britain. Richard Cohen (who is in Ljubljana the lucky bastard) said that France struggled with Great Britain’s 2-3 zone. They’re going to struggle making the semis IMO.
my bad if i missed it or it was obvious, but why aren't the Sabally sisters suited up for Germany right now?
Satou did play in first qualifying game in the qualifiers for the 2021 tournament and was great, but Ivana Dojkic torched the team and started the real WNBA interest in her. Since then, it seems like she had a few windows of convenient injuries and then she just seemed to not be involved in any of the latest qualifying even though she was playing club games. Since she is their star, the federation obviously wants to leave the door open for her so they did not ask FIBA to punish her.
Nyara is probably the only person in the world who was sure that she could still play basketball up until she made her WNBA debut so they probably did not even think about asking her. Other than the most desperate European national teams, most countries are going to be pretty unlikely to add players who did not participate in qualifying. Like Hungary would have been interested in Juhasz if she had not made the Lynx roster, but knew there would be no point in trying to integrate her late. Germany also has enough post players, starting four of them in their games so far.
Maybe we will eventually see Satou Sabally start at the point for Germany. Given the way she’s been running pick and rolls in the WNBA, it could be their best option.
Germany is getting a lot of young talent so I expect we will see them make more noise at the international level. They probably should naturalise a good US guard though because all their good young players are forwards and centers.
Maybe we will eventually see Satou Sabally start at the point for Germany. Given the way she’s been running pick and rolls in the WNBA, it could be their best option.
Germany is getting a lot of young talent so I expect we will see them make more noise at the international level. They probably should naturalise a good US guard though because all their good young players are forwards and centers.
I don't believe that Germany does snap naturalization, but their residency standards are not excessively high given that how long Nick Weiler-Babb played before they gave him citizenship. The problem is that their women's league is way weaker so foreign players are less likely to stick around for very long. It has been a while since a German club was at the highest levels on the women's side even though Keltern seems to be on a level above Wasserburg's glory days. Rheinland Lions signed fairly big names and then promptly ran out of money. ALBA Berlin could be that next team, especially if they can keep players around for the years leading up to the World Cup. Germany might be better off trying to figure out if anyone qualifies on heritage like Chris Kaman or Austin Reaves since those rules do not seem too strict.
Bit the bullet and purchased so I can watch. Whew good work Hungary! I thought Serbia and/or Belgium would end up running the table to the Finals. Maybe not!
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Slovenia leading France in the 3Q right now. Didn't see what they did in the first to have a lead, but they seem to be moving the ball and shooting well. France can't shoot at all and the announcers have said basically teams have been letting them shoot from outside
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Slovenia leading France in the 3Q right now. Didn't see what they did in the first to have a lead, but they seem to be moving the ball and shooting well. France can't shoot at all and the announcers have said basically teams have been letting them shoot from outside
France ended up winning. They seemed to play more discipline on defense starting halfway through the 3rd Q and extended in the 4th. Not impressed with them. Haven't watched Belgium yet, but I think they'll end up winning the tourney.
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France has not looked convincing at all, but the Slovenia game did not actually matter for seeding purposes. Belgium got their first challenge and fought their way out of it.