Lyon, France – The German women’s basketball team will navigate the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament without the services of star forward Satou Sabally, but the Phoenix Mercury player remains firmly focused on representing her country at the 2026 World Cup hosted in Berlin.
Sabally, a key figure for the German national team, will miss the qualifying games taking place in Lyon from to . The decision, announced by the German Basketball Federation (DBB), allows the 27-year-old to concentrate on her commitments with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. Despite her absence from the qualifying tournament, Sabally has confirmed her intention to participate in the World Cup on home soil in .
The German squad, now under the leadership of head coach Olaf Lange, will face a challenging schedule in Lyon. They are slated to compete against South Korea (), the Philippines (), France (), Colombia (), and Nigeria (). Germany has already secured its place in the World Cup as the host nation, adding a layer of strategic flexibility to their participation in the qualifying tournament.
The team will lean on the leadership of Leonie Fiebich, Luisa Geiselsöder, and Nyara Sabally in Sabally’s absence. Fiebich, who also plays for New York Liberty in the WNBA, and Geiselsöder, currently with CBK Mersin in Turkey, are expected to play significant roles. Nyara Sabally, also of the New York Liberty, will be looked upon to provide a strong presence in the frontcourt.
Lange’s appointment as national coach last year marked a new chapter for the German program. He previously held the position and returns after Lisa Thomaidis, who guided the team to a quarter-final appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and a fifth-place finish at the 2025 European Championships, stepped down. Thomaidis’ tenure saw the team achieve notable progress, but Lange now has the opportunity to build upon that foundation and prepare the team for the challenges ahead.
Sabally’s decision reflects the increasing demands placed on elite basketball players who compete in both the WNBA and international competitions. Her commitment to the Phoenix Mercury, following a move from the Dallas Wings, is a testament to her dedication to her professional career. The WNBA season, beginning in the coming weeks, will require her full focus, making participation in the qualifying tournament impractical.
Despite missing the qualifying tournament, Sabally’s enthusiasm for representing Germany at the World Cup in Berlin is palpable. Playing on home soil will undoubtedly provide a significant boost for both Sabally and the entire German team. The prospect of competing in front of a home crowd will add an extra layer of motivation as they strive to make a strong showing on the world stage.
The German squad in Lyon comprises a blend of experienced veterans and emerging talent. Emily Bessoir (Lointek Gernika Bizkaia/Spain), Patricia Broßmann (ASD Basket Costa Masnaga/Italy), Frieda Bühner (Movistar Estudiantes Madrid/Spain), Jennifer Crowder (Herner TC), Britta Daub (Kingfishers USC Freiburg), Emma Eichmeyer (Saarlouis Royals), Alina Hartmann (Alba Berlin), Alexis Peterson (ESB Villeneuve d’AscQ/France), Nina Rosemeyer (Alba Berlin), Jessika Schiffer (Saarlouis Royals), Lina Sontag (GiroLive Panthers Osnabrück), Alexandra Wilke (Rutronik Stars Keltern), and Laura Zolper (Södertälje BBK/SWE) will all be vying for playing time and aiming to contribute to the team’s success.
The qualifying tournament in Lyon presents an opportunity for Lange to assess his team’s depth and experiment with different lineups in preparation for the World Cup. While Sabally’s absence is a notable one, the German team remains determined to compete at a high level and build momentum as they approach the prestigious tournament in Berlin. The focus now shifts to Lyon, where the German players will look to showcase their talent and secure positive results against a competitive field.
