Germany found a second wind thanks to the brilliance of Frieda Buhner to absolutely blow open Group A at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. Emmet Ryan from a thriller in Berlin.
Germany threw everything they had at Japan early, brutally rocking them and bringing the Max Schmeling Halle to life. Japan held it together, somewhat, and eventually Germany had to pay the bill for the energy spent.
This was incredible to watch and utterly exhilarating. Even as Deutschland faded, the fight never left them. The question hanging over them for the final half hour of the 40 minutes was simple. Could they survive?
Just race
Germany came out of the gate playing at a comically unsustainable pace and it was a joy to watch. Despite only moderate scoring coming from it, they had Japan in sixes and sevens through the first four minutes of action.
With no Alexis Peterson at their disposal and having been brutalised by Spain 24 hours prior, there was a clear desire to throw something at the wall and see if it stuck. Germany had been painfully off the pace early a night earlier so that was the one thing they refused to concede here.
The result was a frantic opening spell that bamboozled a Japan side that had survived an epic with Mali on the opening day. There was also reason to the racing, Japan needed a pace suited to their shooting game and this was definitely not it.
Maki Takada, good at basketball
With everything around her proving utterly chaotic, Maki Takada was an island of calm. She was able to get the extra half second here and there to steady herself and score. The 37 year old is likely in her final FIBA Women’s World Cup and was bringing the kind of veteran sense that was vital for Japan here.
Unfortunately it was taking its time in influencing her teammates. They simply kept on feeling the heat even when it wasn’t there. Maybe part of it was the absolutely electric crowd in the Max Schmeling Halle, part of it was certainly Germany’s approach, but the biggest impact seemed to be coming inside their own heads.
Japan were letting the haste get to them and it led to forced passes when drives were smarter or deferrals when there was an open look emerging. Panic was the order of the day for the 2020 Olympic silver medalists.
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I see something
Given the arena this was in, perhaps we ought to pay a bit more heed to the approach Germany had brought to this game. You don’t just blow open a 28-11 first quarter lead based on guts and gumption.
The accelerated game was clearly targeted at the weaknesses of Japan. It spoke volumes that even some of Japan’s good misses came from the few scenarios where Deutschland hadn’t quite been able to keep up the ludicrous pace.
The man this gym is named after said he saw something ahead of his fight with Joe Louis 90 years ago. Schmeling won by 12th round KO. Germany were trying to finish this fight before the half time buzzer hit. That was more how Louis approached and won the rematch.
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Grinding back
Japan’s only real option was patience. They had to force the obscene German onslaught to run out of gas, or at least to slow somewhat. When it did, they went to work. Takada’s calming presence was having more of an impact now.
It was Japan who could set up as they liked on D, forcing some wild and woeful efforts from the Germans. Similarly, Germany had nowhere near the same pace running back and Japan could actually focus offensively.
The German lead was rapidly eroding. Something had to switch up for the wild race to start the game to have been truly worthwhile. As it was, Japan were taking charge at a controlled pace.
Frieda Buhner took charge when Germany needed her most, driving their decisive second-half surge against Japan. (Pic: FIBA)
Take it
Germany’s lead had been cut to 5 at the break but they refused to wilt even as their bodies all looked exhausted out there. Luisa Geiselsoder’s three stretched things out again and made the packed gym believe in a second wind.
Frieda Buhner’s drive in traffic roused the crowd once more. It was hero ball at times but it was also proving enough. Emma Eichmeyer’s overly enthusiastic ass slap of Alexandra Wilke, as the latter secured an and-1 opportunity, showed as much.
Buhner again drove inside as she took charge for Germany. That was followed up with a great dime to Marie Guelich. Whatever it took for this side to retake command was all that mattered.
Blown wide open
Germany’s third quarter surge proved decisive. It’s wild to even consider that this game felt there for Japan at the half. Deutschland, powered by Buhner, were not being denied on this day.
It has also made sure there’s an explosive conclusion to Group A on Monday. All four teams are in contention on paper to win the group, make the play-ins, or be eliminated. Spain will battle Japan in the Max Schmeling Halle while Mali will battle Germany in the Uber Arena.
It’s going to make for exactly the type of dramatic conclusion to group play that FIBA would have bitten your hand off for before the tournament. Now we’ve got the madness ahead of us.
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