Germany bounce back to claim European bronze

Germany and Spain matched-up in the bronze medal game at the 2019 Women’s European Championship. Following the heartbreak of their one point loss to Great Britain in the semi-final game yesterday, it was clear Germany had struggled to pick themselves up for this game, whereas Spain seemed really up for the challenge, still elated after making final four of a European’s for the first time in their history and qualifying for Tokyo 2020.

Spain's Vicky Alonso against Germany in the bronze medal game at the 2019 Women's European Championship. Photo credit - Eike Michler.

Spain held a one-point advantage at the end of the first quarter, 11-10, with Germany’s usual reliable scorers struggling to find their range and the team shooting percentage at 33% compared to Spain’s 35%. Spain’s Lucia Soria found herself with three fouls before the quarter was out forcing Spain to change the line-up.

Spain’s new line-up struggled to contain Germany in the second quarter, so they returned to their starting line-up to try and stay in the game. Turnovers from Spain allowed the Germans to take the lead and a big three pointer from Germany’s Katharina Lang at the end of the half extended her team out to an eight-point lead, 29-21.

Germany continued to dominate in the third, building momentum with a 10-2 run and opening up a sixteen-point lead. Spain’s Head Coach rotated players and line-ups to try and stop Germany’s dominance, but Mareike Miller had found her shooting touch hitting 14 of Germany’s 18 points for the quarter, to take a healthy lead in to the final period, 47-25.

Germany's Anne Patzwald takes on Spain's Sonia Ruiz in the bronze medal game at the 2019 Women's European Championship. Photo credit - Steffie Wunderl.

With the game all but won, Germany’s Head Coach, Martin Otto, rotated in players from the bench and Spain rallied a little to win the final quarter 13-6, but it was Germany who cruised to the win, 53-38, and claim the bronze medal.

Top scorers for Germany were Mareike Miller (22 points) and Katharina Lang (19 points) For Spain Vicky Perez and Vicky Alonso topscored with 13 points and 10 points respectively. Full Statistics.

Relive all the action

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL32QHnPn--b9-hVbdluokUDkD3DsYPtaS

More information about the 2019 Women’s European Championship please visit the websites below:

http://www.competitions.iwbf-europe.org/index.php/ecwa-home-menu or http://basketballexperience.nl/ek2019/

Photo credit – Steffie Wunderl / Eike Michler