Men’s semi-finalists: Spain, Great Britain, Germany and Italy
Day 8 – ECMWA 2025
GER 69-24 FRA (W 3-5th place)
In the women’s 3-5 round robin placing, Lucie Nolet struck first for France as they opened the quarter with a 4-0 point lead. Germany answered with back to back baskets from Svenja Mayer as they took a 6 point lead at the end of the first. Mayer continued to find a path to the basket for Germany as she put up 10 first half points and Roli-Ann Neubauer added 8 off the bench as Germany extended their lead at the brea k.
Germany maintained their lead in the second as Svenja Erni and Mayer continued to score, French captain Loeiza Vari Le Roux added 4 in the half for the team but Germany were too strong finishing with a 69-24 victory and will face Spain tomorrow for a chance at bronze.
For Germany Mayer finished with 16 points and 4 rebounds as Erni added 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Lucie Nolet put up 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 ast and 2 steals for France.
“Great team effort, we‘re ready for tomorrow to fight for bronze.” – Marie Kier (GER)
ITA 72-69 POL (M quarter-final)
Italy are your 4th and final semifinalists securing a 72-69 quarterfinal win over Poland.
The game was a back and forth affair right up until the last 15 seconds when Andrea Giaretti hit a dagger of a 3-pointer to put Italy up by 2.
Giaretti ended the game with a staggering 30pts.
Poland’s captain, Dominik Mosler had 22pts, making an impressive 13 of 16 field goals, shooting at 81%.
Italy will now face Spain in their semifinal.
Poland will play in the 5th-8th classification games, with 5th place ensuring Ottawa World Championships qualification and 6th and 7th place opening up a Repechage spot.
“It was a heartfelt victory at the end of a very difficult match against a tough opponent. It was perhaps the best match of my career with the Italian team, but I’m especially happy because we’re among the top four teams in Europe” – Andrea Giaretti (ITA)
“We fought until the end of this game and lost by three points due to a few mistakes on defense in the last two minutes. We’re disappointed because I think we controlled the game. Tomorrow is another day, another game and we can still play for our place in the world championships. We will keep fighting.” – Dominik Mosler (POL)
GER 79-61 FRA (M quarter-final)
Germany put on a masterclass as they booked their place in the IWBF European Championships semi-finals with a deserved 79-61 win over France.
Nico Dreimuller secured a double-double of 20 points and 12 assists, with Thomas Böhme adding 19, as Germany shot 55 percent from the floor and scored 27 points off 17 French turnovers, while only giving the ball up four times themselves.
France battled throughout, led by a triple-double from Nicolas Jouanserre, who scored 14 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, but after hanging with their counterparts in the first half, they could nothing about a German ambush in the third quarter as they raced away.
With this win, Germany also punched their ticket to the IWBF World Championships next summer.
“It was a tough game for us. We were down by 8 and then fought back. It was a heavy team win in the end. I am really really proud of everyone. We can’t wait for the semi-final against Great Britain” – Alexander Budde (GER)
GBR 60-59 TUR (M quarter-final)
In a down to the wire finish the defending European Champions escaped a furious comeback from Türkiye who battled back from 21 points down as Ahmet Efetürk hit from downtown to tie the game at 58 with 1:14 to play in the fourth. Oscar Knight answered for Great Britain in the final minute and Great Britain would hold on to qualify for the World Championships in Ottawa next year and book their ticket to tomorrow’s semi final.
Marsh led the way for Great Britain with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, as Oscar Knight added 13 and 9 off the bench.
For Türkiye Uğur Toprak had 10 points and 6 assists and Ferit Gümü also scored 10.
“I’m incredibly proud of our teams performance and completing objective one with qualification for the world championships. Now its time to focus on the semi-final tomorrow against Germany” – Kyle Marsh
ESP 63-55 NED (M quarter-final)
Spain booked their place in the semi-finals of the IWBF European Championships with a thrilling 63-55 win over the Netherlands.
In a physical defensive-oriented battle, the tie came alive when the Dutch came alive in the final three minutes with a trio of three-pointers, led by Robin Poggenwisch, as they narrowed the gap to a one-possession game.
But Spain, who had held the advantage for the majority, albeit slenderly, fought back and bagged a win that not only seals their spot into the last four, but also punches their ticket to next summer’s IWBF World Championships in Canada.
Manuel Lorenzo led the victors with 26 points, with Arie Twigt the high man for the Netherlands as he had 23.
“We are a young team and we still need to learn and improve of these close situations but we are very happy and keep our dream alive” – Ignacio “Pincho” Ortega (ESP)
“It felt like a true David versus Goliath battle and we came close to pulling off the upset. Competing against top players who perform at the highest level week after week is never easy but I’m proud of our team.” – Arie Twigt (NED)
FRA 31-57 ESP (W 3-5th place)
Spain wins the first game of the round robin for the bronze medal with a 57-31 win over France.
The game’s momentum went in the way of Spain from the get go.
Vicky Vilariño ended the game as top scorer with 12pts, shooting 71% from the field.
Spain join other Spanish-speaking nations Argentina and Colombia in the Women’s Repechage for another chance of getting to Ottawa.
“We didn’t play to our full potential today but I’m happy and proud of all our new and young players because they performed really good” – Beatriz Zudaire (ESP)
“Facing your failures leaves no room for excuses. That pain is the price of growth”. – Loeiza Vari (FRA)
wrap ups: Caroline Bullock, John Hobbs, Dylan Cummings
photo: Mansoor Ahmed
