Satou Sabally scored 23 of her 33 points in the first half to help Germany continue its impressive Olympic debut in women’s basketball. Germany beat Japan 75-64 on Thursday to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Paris.
Spain and Serbia had already earned the first two quarterfinal spots with wins on Wednesday.
On Thursday, other teams were also fighting for quarterfinal spots. Host nation France could secure its place with a win over Nigeria. Nigeria needs both a win and an Australia victory over Canada to qualify.
The U.S., aiming for its eighth straight Olympic gold medal, only needs to beat Belgium in Thursday’s final game to reach Paris.
Germany did not have Nyara Sabally available after the forward from the WNBA’s New York Liberty was helped off the court in their opening win. Sabally struggled as she was helped off the court and to the locker room.
With her sister leading the team, Germany was ahead 42-36 at halftime.
Just over three minutes before halftime, German player Leonie Fiebich injured her left ankle after catching it on Japan guard Nako Motohashi’s foot while trying to save a ball. Fiebich needed assistance to the bench where her ankle was iced.
Fiebich came back for the third quarter. Japan tied the game at 44 with a 3-pointer by Maki Takada, but then Fiebich scored to put Germany ahead for good. Germany ended the third quarter on a 15-5 run, leading 59-49 going into the fourth quarter and maintaining a 12-point lead to stay undefeated in pool play.
Alexis Peterson added 11 points for Germany, and Luisa Geiselsoder had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Japan, which won silver at the 2021 Tokyo Games, will need a win and some assistance on Sunday against Belgium to secure one of the last two quarterfinal spots. Germany will finish pool play against the U.S.
