Germany look ready to make a strong push for the podium at the 2019 Women’s European Championship in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Germany’s Head Coach, Martin Otto, has built on a base of eight athletes from the squad who won bronze on home turf at the 2018 World Championships in Hamburg. Laura Fürst, Annabel Breuer, Mareike Miller, Anne Patzwald, Barbara Groß, Katharina Lang and Catharina Weiß all bring a good amount of experience to the team. Svenja Mayer made her debut last year and can look forward to the international adventure again this time.
The team is supplemented by Svenja Erni, Nathalie Ebertz and Lena Knippelmeyer all making their major debut for the German senior team. A late change to the squad came as 13-year-old Jana Bozek, who was originally selected, misses the tournament in Rotterdam due to illness and Janne Deutschmann moves into the squad at short notice.
Looking ahead to the tournament, Germany’s games against Spain and France will set the tone of the tournament for the team, as they are to be regarded as direct opponents for a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. However, Germany may justifiably regard themselves as a candidate for the medal games, as they have never in history finished outside the top three at a European Championship.
Germany’s Head Coach, Martin Otto, is optimistic:
“I think we had a very good preparation. With three preparatory tournaments in a row and two subsequent training camps short and sweet, but we made good progress. We worked well and grew together as a team. I am very optimistic for the upcoming European Championship!”
He and his team clearly have goals in mind:
“The first goal is very clear that we qualify for Tokyo. The second goal is of course a medal. We want to fight for the final. I think on a very good day we can beat every team in Europe.
“Unfortunately, we have to do without Jana. She has recently had to have a break due to illness and unfortunately is not fit for the tournament. Of course, it was very difficult for us to make that decision.”
Full Roster
| Vest Number | Player Name | Classification | Age |
| 4 | Mareike Miller | 4.5 | 28 |
| 5 | Janne Deutschmann | 1.0 | 26 |
| 6 | Catharina Weiß | 1.0 | 19 |
| 7 | Anne Patzwald | 1.0 | 29 |
| 8 | Katharina Lang | 4.5 | 27 |
| 9 | Laura Fürst | 2.0 | 28 |
| 10 | Svenja Erni | 3.5 | 15 |
| 11 | Nathalie Ebertz | 4.5 | 29 |
| 12 | Annabel Breuer | 1.5 | 26 |
| 13 | Svenja Mayer | 2.5 | 28 |
| 14 | Lena Knippelmeyer | 4.5 | 29 |
| 15 | Barbara Groß | 4.5 | 25 |
Team Staff
Head Coach: Martin Otto
Assistant Coach: Janet McLachlan
Team Manager: Andreas Ebertz
Physiotherapists: Julia Erhard, Stefan Kremer
Team Physician: Claude Weynandt
Technician: Dennis Nohl
Team Supervisor: Silke Otto
The championship will act as the zonal qualification tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and only the top four will qualify.
For 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/
Text courtesy of Team Germany and image Team Germany / Uli Gasper
