On a day where nerves could have confounded them, a confidence fuelled Germany took control against Mali to punch their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Emmet Ryan on a day where Deutschland proved they belong at this level.
The arithmetic was simple, if a touch mind bending. If Spain won in the Max Schmeling, then Mali needed to win here. If Japan won there, Germany couldn’t afford to lose. Not that there was anything either could do to sway affairs there so they might as well take care of business here.
Hearing fear in the joy
While not quite a sellout, it was a strong home crowd in the Uber Arena. Much like they had against Japan, albeit without quite the same intensity, Germany sought to be front runners in this one.
While the offensive game was solid, it was on the defensive end where the hosts looked strongest early. Mali’s efforts to create chances on the interior looked rudimentary but the switches from Deutschland were still impressive.
Through it all, the crowd had something. Every cheered score and stop, the roar came with an underlying fear of trailing. These fans are desperate for a deep run. Winning this one, irrespective of the other result, creates their best chance at that. The unspoken sense of ‘please don’t fail’ was inescapable.
Arc issues before the shift
Germany and Mali combined for a hideous 3 of 17 from deep to open the game. Much of this was, oddly, down to how determined both sides were to attack the interior. With neither willing to give up an inch inside, it led to most outside efforts being matters of last resort.
It was Deutschland that solved the issue first. Actually looking for the three led to a much smoother and more balanced offensive game from them. The conversion rates for both were still nothing to write home about but they were far from hideous. Fundamentally, Germany were simply getting it done more and that helped them open up a big lead.
Mali’s offensive game was leaning heavily on Djeneba N’Diaye and Alima Dembele but both were finding work hard on the open floor. The pressure on that duo however meant there was less pressure on the supporting cast, as Mali fought to stay in touch. Yet by the halfway point, it was looking a tall order.
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They’ve found whatever was missing
Perhaps it was early tournament nerves. Maybe it was the pressure of being hosts. Whatever it was that caused Germany to be just awful against Spain, it’s gone now. This is a side that plays with confidence and wants to front-run.
Whatever the case, this is a side that will return on Tuesday with the belief that it can beat Korea. Going back to, really, the third quarter against Japan, this side has managed to put aside whatever doubts were rolling about in their heads.
This is a team brimming with confidence and the belief that it can beat anyone in this tournament. Given the wave of injury issues and lack of experience at this level, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Still, this Deutschland team has lost its fear. That makes it a tough out.
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Whatever way you cut it
If you had told this Germany team they’d reach the last eight of this tournament before it started, with two group wins at that, they’d have privately been overjoyed. It’s not a lock yet, of course, but the chance is real and the support will come too.
A tournament that has already set all kinds of records for ticket sales is sure to see a surge for the first day of the play-ins. Frieda Buhner are now proper faces for the sport in this country in addition to the impact of Leonie Fiebach and the Sabally sisters. The game against Korea promises to be fierce but the hosts will enter with belief.
There is a collective grit on the defensive end coupled with relaxed order offensively that is driving this side forward. After the win over Japan, Lina Sontag told me it was important that Germany land the first punch following their poor display against Spain. Well now they look capable of going toe-to-toe with nearly anyone.
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