Germany hosts Women's Basketball World Cup amid injuries and low expectations

Germany is preparing to stage the 20th edition of the Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, but the team faces a challenging build-up, having dropped three consecutive friendlies to Spain, Hungary and Turkey. Star forward Satou Sabally remains sidelined after a concussion, and her sister Nyara is still recovering from a calf injury, while Leonie Fiebich has only just returned from a foot problem. Coach Olaf Lange says the squad will be transformed once the three missing WNBA players join training.

The opening group games pit Germany against Spain, Japan and Mali, with the Spanish side historically dominant. Ticket sales have surpassed 200,000, and the championship match on September 13 is already sold out, reflecting growing interest in women’s basketball.