Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- Germany's women's basketball team opened the home FIBA Women's World Cup 2026 with a 53-83 defeat to Spain in Berlin, despite a packed and enthusiastic home crowd. The game aired live on MagentaSport and MagentaTV, which will broadcast 23 matches of the tournament overall.
Spain dominates the opening quarter with a 19-6 scoring run
Spain pulled away early, hitting nearly every shot attempted in the first quarter and building a commanding lead that Germany could never fully close. Germany's best offensive stretch came in the third quarter, when the team scored 15 points, but otherwise struggled against Spain's defense throughout the match.
Captain Marie Gülich says Germany's response was too slow
Team captain Marie Gülich, who scored 8 points and grabbed 3 rebounds, said the squad failed to counter Spain's early three-point shooting. "We need to respond better. When they hit threes like that, we can't let them do it again. Our response wasn't strong enough," she said, adding that the team's reactions lacked speed and aggression.
Head coach Olaf Lange admits the team never found offensive solutions
Bundestrainer Olaf Lange said Spain's defense was excellent and that Germany failed to adjust, particularly during the difficult first quarter and a transition pick-and-roll problem in the second. He said Germany never found a rhythm and now must focus on finishing second in the group, starting with Saturday's 5:30 p.m. game against Japan.
WNBA star Leonie Fiebich leads Germany's scoring with 13 points
Fiebich, who also grabbed 6 rebounds, said the team is already looking ahead to Japan. "After the final buzzer, we look to tomorrow, to Japan," she said, noting that Germany played better in the second half but couldn't overcome such a strong opponent.
Berlin crowd brings a new fan culture to women's basketball
MagentaSport expert Ireti Amoyo highlighted the presence of "Wilde 13," a fan group that normally follows the men's national team, performing with megaphones in a style reminiscent of football fan culture. Basketball pioneer Marlies Askamp, 1997 European bronze medalist and the first German player in the WNBA, said she was "totally happy" with how women's sports have grown in acceptance, calling the atmosphere in Berlin genuinely impressive despite the result.
Co-coach Stefan Möller said the team's transition defense and closeout speed on three-point shooters need immediate fixes ahead of the Japan matchup.