SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- August 28, 2026 -- Germany's men's basketball team beat the Netherlands 99-83 in Cologne on August 27 in a World Cup qualifying game, while forward Johannes Voigtmann was honored before tip-off as he stepped away from the national team after 11 years, 128 caps and 830 points. In a separate preparation match at the same venue, the German women's team lost 62-63 to Turkey, its third straight defeat in August. Both squads now shift focus to upcoming tournaments: the men travel to Poland on August 30, and the women open the home World Cup in Berlin on September 4.
Germany Beats Netherlands 99-83 But Struggles On Defense
Guard Maodo Lô scored 10 points with 3 assists and said the defense was weak, especially in the first half, when the Dutch attacked from the three-point line. Forward Isaac Bonga added 13 points and 2 rebounds, noting Germany trailed by allowing the Netherlands to score 64 points before halftime. Head coach Álex Mumbrú said the team's offense carried the first half, but defense lagged, and admitted players started thinking ahead to Sunday's game before this one had ended.
That's a costly habit against tournament-level opponents.
Voigtmann Bows Out After Two Major Titles
Voigtmann, a World and European champion with Germany, described his farewell as emotional even though it may not have looked that way from the stands. He said he considered retiring after the fourth-place finish at the 2024 Olympics, but changed his mind after a conversation with his wife and encouragement from Mumbrú to play one more summer. He added that his body needs more recovery time and that younger players are ready to take over, calling the timing right for him to step aside.
Germany next faces Poland in Warsaw on August 30 at 2:30 p.m. local time, a road qualifier Lô called difficult given the team's current defensive form.
Turkey Beats German Women 62-63 In Cologne
Germany built an 11-0 run in the second quarter behind three straight three-pointers, including one from Alexandra Wilke, who finished with 15 points. The lead evaporated in the third quarter, when Turkey outscored Germany 19-7 using full-court pressing and trapping defense that forced multiple turnovers. Guard Alexis Peterson-Small missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Three preparation games. Three losses.
Germany also lost to Spain 60-65 and Hungary 62-68 earlier in August. Head coach Olaf Lange said he isn't nervous despite the results, pointing to strong first-half play against Turkey when his team faced standard defense without rotations. Captain Marie Gülich, who scored 7 points, said the turnovers against Turkey's pressing defense exposed a weakness the team must fix before the World Cup.
WNBA Players Arrive With One Injury Concern
Forward Nyara Sabally and guard Frieda Bühner both arrived in Cologne directly from their WNBA seasons, with Sabally still nursing a calf injury. Lange said he hadn't yet spoken with the medical team but described the initial feedback as positive. Bühner said Sabally is highly competitive and will do everything possible to be ready for the home World Cup in Berlin.
Germany opens World Cup play against Spain on September 4, followed by Japan on September 5 and Mali on September 7, with all games running through the final round on September 13.