The home World Cup in Berlin shows how important mental strength, team spirit and the right preparation are. Here is how you can use these principles for your own training.
It is a historic event for German basketball: after 28 years, or exactly 10,313 days, a women's World Cup with German participation is taking place again, according to Sportschau. From 4 to 13 September 2026, the best players in the world will compete in Berlin. For the German national team under head coach Olaf Lange, the tournament begins directly with a real test of maturity: the opening game against the European runners-up Spain. The Spanish women are considered extremely tough opponents, against whom Germany has only won four times in 27 official encounters in the past. However, according to the Deutscher Basketball Bund (DBB), the hosts are entering this key game for the group victory as underdogs with ambitions.
The German team's preparation was marked by personnel setbacks. The injury-related World Cup withdrawal of star player Satou Sabally due to the after-effects of a concussion is particularly heavy. In addition, key players such as playmaker Leonie Fiebich struggled with ankle problems and Nyara Sabally with a calf injury. Despite these difficult circumstances and three test match defeats in preparation, the team is not discouraged. Fiebich emphasised before the start of the tournament that she felt completely ready, and Nyara Sabally also returned to team training in time.
For recreational athletes, a central lesson emerges here: injuries, missed training sessions or setbacks in preparation are part of sport. In such phases, mental strength means not losing focus, remaining patient and concentrating on your own recovery instead of panicking. The positive approach of the professionals, going into the competition with anticipation and self-confidence despite adverse circumstances, can be directly transferred to your own sporting challenges.
In basketball, a single player rarely decides victory or defeat on her own. The German team relies on a mix of internationally experienced WNBA players and hungry talents like 22-year-old Frieda Bühner. Captain Marie Gülich highlighted beforehand how important the mere presence, energy and self-confidence of key players like Fiebich and Nyara Sabally are for the entire structure. They give the team stability and structure.
This team spirit is also crucial in recreational sports – whether in a club, in a running group or during the weekly kickabout with friends. A functioning team compensates for individual weaknesses and motivates each other in difficult phases. Anyone who takes responsibility in training and radiates positive energy automatically pulls others along.
A look at the global development of basketball also shows what matters in the long term. According to a report by Eurohoops, European players are increasingly dominating the NBA because European academies have placed a strong focus on basketball IQ, passing, decision-making and shooting technique off the dribble since the early 2000s – in contrast to a purely athleticism-focused approach. This sound training makes players more versatile and adaptable.
For your own training, this means: invest time in the fundamentals. Before you venture into complex plays or maximum intensities, the basic techniques should be stable. Clean execution not only protects against injuries, but also forms the foundation for any increase in performance.
Your takeaway: Accept sporting setbacks as part of the journey, trust in your fundamentals and use the positive energy of your team for new motivation.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.