football

Dirk Maedrich Wins 2026 Fiba Masters Open And Will Never Forget The Special Mix Of Friendships, Camaraderie, Celebrating And Being A Team Together

Pic credit: Armin Cicic

Dirk Maedrich (212-C-1983) is a 43 year old 212cm German center who celebrated a 18 year career that allowed him to play in countries like Greece and France and let him enjoy 11 years in the easyCredit BBL for teams like Braunschweig, Bamberg, Artland, Giessen, Vechta, Bonn and Oldenburg playing 280 BBL games. He also won titles with Bamberg, and Rasta Vechta. He also played for the German national team and retired in 2018. He recently pulled on the jersey to play in the Fiba Masters Open and helped Germany win the Gold medal.

Thanks Dirk for talking to germanhoops.com You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

Steffen Hamann called and asked if I wanted to play in the Ü40.

You retired 8 years ago. Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

8 years sounds so far away, but I still know how to hoop and the body feels good. With pickup games once a week, games on the weekend with the Rasta 4 team to stay fit for the Niedersachsen, Norddeutsche, and Deutsche championships, and hitting the gym 3 times a week, I try to stay fit for my kids. Plus, I still need the competition!

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

I’m happy that my wife let me go! I wanted them to come with me, but it didn’t work out, so it was like a men’s sports vacation with a happy ending!

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

The funny thing is, we all compete in the German ü40 championship in Vechta, where Munich took first place, the SG Vechta/Quakenbrück/Oldenburg came in second, and Paderborn finished third. What is there to prepare anyway? Everybody knows how to play defense and how to run Horns or Diamond. Except for conditioning, there isn’t much to prepare

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

Wooden flooring, a doctor in every gym, water, fruits… it was great. Experienced men competing at a high level against each other. In the end, it was always a fair fight. And the family could watch from home thanks to a well-working livestream! We played 5 on 5! A normal game, 4 times 10 minutes.

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

The good thing is, everybody competing was over 40, so nobody could just outrun you. The guy from Georgia, Tskitishvili, impressed me a lot. I had to defend him for 30 minutes. Defense is my favorite strength and it felt perfect after the game, and my teammates said I did a good job, which felt amazing. He played for good teams and was drafted back in the day! He could still move really well from the top. We played perfect help defense

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffen Hamann, Daniel Lieneke, Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Did it feel like a good old German basketball reunion?

Like you said, grown men with families coming together from home, sacrificing their time, competing together, and still loving the game after centuries of combined basketball knowledge! The time together was amazing. The tough part is coming back down to your regular life that might take a week, just like the soreness in your body!

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich, Doerr and Lieneke?

We all came prepared, handled the heat, and managed playing almost every day pretty well. With Schmiddy Mathias Schmidt, our physio, plus the out sponsor physios and doctors supporting us and the vegan protein POP Balls and massage guns, we had great support off the court.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? You won the BBL title 21 years ago. He still seems to be in good shape isn´t he?

He is still the leader just like back in the day. I love to play with him. He is in very good shape, I would step into any ring with him. He still has that fire, which motivates me to play with these guys. I don’t want to go on a boys’ trip, I want to play and I still have the hunger to win, and everybody on the team feels that way!

Did you keep in contact with that 2005 Bamberg team and Hamann over the years?

This group is something special and the group chat still exists!

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

I was feeling pretty good, making my threes and free throws. I missed a couple of easy ones around the basket, but overall, with an average of 15 points, it worked out pretty well!

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

That’s a good question. I would say using the experience from last year to take care of your body: eat well, drink a lot of water, get enough sleep, and do yoga! Stretch and get a lift in every 2-3 days. I’m really happy that nobody got hurt, except for some bruises or pinched fingers. Everything worked out pretty well!

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

There was a phase in the game where we were up by about 10–12 points and I thought, “Now we got them,” but they came back and tied the game! But we had Omari, and he pulled out the win for us. That was huge!

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

First, he stole the ball and had a layup, but he kept an eye on the clock and the score, knocked down a huge three-pointer, and decided the game! That last play was just the tip of the iceberg of a great week and won the game for us.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

I think there were a couple of good ones, but what impressed me the most was when Steffen drove to the basket, both his and my defender tried to stop him, and he threw the ball blindfolded over his head right into my hands. I was completely wide open and nailed the three in a clutch and important phase of the game!

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? You won a BBL cup and Pro A titles in Germany. Where do you rank it in your whole career?

Losing in the final last year and losing the German championship this year gave me a little extra push to not finish second again. So, the gold was a must-have to bring home to the family. But actually, the friendships, the memories, the camaraderie, the resilience, and being a team and celebrating together are just as important to me, and the mix makes it perfect!

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

The camaraderie and having a good time together. Being a team and supporting each other is what brings you together, and I was always successful when the team truly acted as a team!

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

If my body holds up and my wife keeps supporting me, I definitely will. Most likely my kids will play a role in this too, I want to stay in shape, and having 3-4 tournaments a year gives you a goal to practice for, and the kids still get to see you play!

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

It depends on how much money you put on the floor! Before that, we will never know, Miles!

Thanks Dirk for the chat.

Winning The Fiba Masters Open Gold Was Fantastic For Daniel Lieneke But Bonding Together And Having Fun Is What Team Sports Is All About

Picc redit: Armin Cicic

Daniel Lieneke (200-F-1981) is a former German professional player that enjoyed a 20 plus career in Germany. He played most of his career in Paderborn where he played 9 seasons mostly in the second Bundesliga, but also played a season in the BBL. He also played 11 seasons with TV 1864 Salzkotten. He recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open winning the Gold medal and talked about his experiences in Greece.

Thanks, Daniel, for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

The idea actually came about a year and a half ago at the German Over-40 Championship, where we played against Munich in the final. That was the catalyst: we put together a really strong roster, combining players from Munich, Paderborn, Salzkotten, Vechta, and several other cities. We took that team to the FIMBA World Championship in Switzerland and managed to win the vice-world championship title there. Since it was so successful, we made a few targeted additions to the roster this year, and that’s how we ended up participating in the FIBA Masters Open.

You retired years ago, but some years ago played with TV Salzkotten Second Team (Oberliga). Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

I was actually still playing for TV Salzkotten last season, which meant practicing once a week and playing a game every weekend. On top of that, I did some running, so I would say I went into the tournament in really great physical shape.

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

First of all, we played five intense full-distance games, but we definitely had some time in between to recover. We used that time to do some sightseeing, enjoy a swim in the sea, or just have some great food. So, it certainly felt a bit like a mini-vacation as well.

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

A huge advantage for us was that we were all in great shape. Everyone still plays basketball at least once a week and keeps themselves physically fit. On top of that, we met up for a long weekend to hold a training camp, where we focused primarily on our tactical preparation.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The conditions certainly weren’t comparable to the top professional league, but to be
honest, everything in Greece was quite modern, with a great wooden floor and air conditioning in the arena-which was a huge step up compared to our previous experiences in Switzerland and Italy.

. Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

Since this was the first FIBA World Championship in this age group, we had 12 teams competing in our Over-40 bracket, and the games were all very intense and played at a high level. The most well-known player from back in the day was definitely Nikoloz Tskitishvili from Georgia, who even spent several years in the NBA and gave us a lot of trouble in the semifinals.

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffan Hamann, Dirk Madrich Moritz Wohlers Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Were you ever teammates with any of them?

We obviously knew each other from playing against one another back in the day, but it’s just a lot of fun to be on the court with such high-caliber former professionals. But it wasn’t just the well-known guys-every single member of the team was outstanding, both as a player and as a person. That really made us a cohesive unit.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich Doerr and Wohlers?

It would be unfair to the others if I singled one of them out. Everyone was truly in a good condition. We didn’t have any injury issues, so everyone was in great physical shape across the board. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to win this thing.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? He still seems to be in good shape isn’t he?

Steffen was an absolute leader not just on the court, but off it as well-he really took care of all the organizational aspects. It was an absolute pleasure to play alongside him and spend those ten days together on-site.

. You played against Stefen Hamann many times when you were with Paderborn. Do you remember some of those battles?

I have particularly fond memories of our last duel. It was back in 2010; Bayern Munich had already been promoted to the first division, and we were playing our last game of the season in Paderborn. We won the game at the final buzzer with a tip-in, which was obviously a huge highlight for us and a great way to end the season.

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

I was very satisfied with my performance. I went into the tournament in peak physical condition, had the full confidence of our coach, and I think I played the most minutes on average, which allowed me to make an impact on both ends of the floor. My shot was okay, although it could have been a bit more accurate at times.

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

The biggest challenge, aside from the physical side, was undoubtedly the recovery time between games. And, of course, being away from my family for ten days-at our age, that definitely plays a big part mentally.

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn’t win this game?

Honestly, there were definitely some doubts around the start or middle of the fourth quarter, and they were well-founded. We started playing a bit headlessly, turned the ball over a few times, and unfortunately took some bad shots. At one point, you really had to wonder if we were going to lose this game.

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

You have to look at the bigger picture here: Omari really wanted to win the game for us starting early in the fourth quarter, but he didn’t have much luck with his shot and probably missed five or six in a row. However, with 30 seconds left, he got a steal and actually had an easy one-on-zero layup. Instead of taking it, he pulled back, stopped at the three-point line, and hit the shot to tie the game. Italy couldn’t score on their ensuing possession, so Omari grabbed the ball for the final play. With three seconds left on the clock, he hit a really difficult three-pointer over his Italian defender, and it went clean through the net. In the remaining 3 seconds, Italy still had a chance to tie the game, but the shot narrowly missed the target. That was certainly one of the most exciting final stretches I’ve ever experienced in my entire career.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

Honestly, all of our plays were very well-tailored to everyone’s individual strengths. But naturally, one of my favorite plays was a set where I’d come off a screen from one of our big guys to get open and take the shot.

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

I obviously rank this gold medal very highly. However, the 2005 and 2006 seasons were also incredibly successful when we won all 30 games in the second division and earned our promotion to the first division-that was an absolute career highlight, of course. I’ve also been able to win some hardware at the German Over-40 championships as well as picking up one or two Oberliga championships. Those were all wonderful achievements, though I would rank the FIBA Masters Open gold medal slightly above them, given its international significance.

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

That’s a good question. I’ll probably remember the fact that we were such a fantastic group. We didn’t just achieve maximum success; we also had a lot of fun together and bonded even more as a team during that time. That is exactly what team sports are all about.

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

That’s certainly not out of the question. I still love the game of basketball, and as long as my bones and my body stay fit, I can absolutely see myself doing this again.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

In the post, ‘Locke’ might win, but one-on-one out on the perimeter, he has no chance. He might see it differently, of course.

Thanks Daniel For The chat.

Lukas Scherer Was Very Blessed To Work 4 Years With Dirk Bauermann And Now Will Continue To Help Develop His Skyliner JBBL Players

Lukas Scherer is an ex player who played youth basketball with TSV Nordlingen and also played 2 Pro B games. He decided to get into coaching and is currently the JBBL (U-16) coach of the Frankfurt Skyliners. He also was an assistant coach for the 2025 & 2026 U-16 Euro teams. He spoke to germanhoops.com about the 2026 Euro.

Thanks Lukas for talking to germanhoops.com Congrats to a fifth place at the U-16 Euro. What does this title mean for German basketball? It wasn´t a medal, but a big fifth place finish.

This result was a big success for German basketball. The third time that a U-16 team has reached 5th place. Of course we would have liked to have won a medal, but one has to be realistic that we are still a bit behind other nations in physicality and skill level.

Germany began with a solid 82-60 win against Belgium. In your opinion is it better to start against weaker opponents the first game or better against a strong team?

I believe for guys this age, it is better to start a tournament against weaker teams. We were lucky that we had gotten a favorable draw. We easily could have started France, Slovenia and Belgium. Players are always nervous in the first game. It is better to have an easy opponent so the guys can tank some self-confidence.

Marko Volf had a strong game with 20 points. How did you see his development? He was known more of his scoring abilities, but had some big assist games. Is his playmaking more respected now after this Euro?

I already had coached Marko last summer and his biggest development in the last year was his leadership skills. It was unbelievable how much he pushed the boys even when he wasn´t having a great game. He developed well as a PG and playmaker. He did a good job trusting his teammates and didn´t always have to finish himself. He was a type of middle man between the coach and teammates. He was also vocal.

Germany then lost 93-70 against Slovenia. You stated after the loss that Slovenia was clearly better, fitter and played with more intensity on defense. Was the stiff competition of all the teams a reason why they didn´t win a medal?

It was a big surprise that Slovenia had to move down. That result showed just how good the other countries were. It also showed how unthankful a tournament like the Euro can be for a country. I never thought that they could move down after their U-18 and U-20 won. Their U-16 was defiantly better than their result. Anything can happen in a youth tournament.

Germany than lost to France 87-58. The Athleticism was a big factor. What do you believe did the boys learn from this loss?

That was our fourth game against them this summer. They were simply further than us with their athleticism, body and tempo. They were almost like a club team. 9 of their 12 man roster train year round. We couldn´t match their intensity or defensive pressure. They deserved to be in the final.

Germany then won an exciting 78-75 game against Israel. Germany showed often that they were really mentally strong in crunch-time. How do you explain those abilities at the age of 15-16?

We prepared really hard all summer long for these kind of games and situations. We also understood how vital the Israel game was for us. We knew what the consequences would be if we lost. They were best prepared for that game.

How vital was head coach Dirk Bauermann in the category of mental toughness? How do you feel did he help the boys most in this area?

He has many critics, but one can learn so much from him. He has an incredible mindset and great ability to motivate young players. Even after games, he was able to build up the spirits for the next games. The guys were able to learn a lot from him and he definitely found the right words at the Euro. I´m really glad that I was able to work with him again.

Johan Meinberg had a big game of 14/12. How did you see his development in the summer? What does he need to do now to make the next step?

He had his ups and downs and was our best center and one of the best bigs at the Euro. He was also a player that was able to make a step forward. He had a little foul trouble in some games. He did a lot of the little things not seen on the stat sheet. We worked all summer on his basics. He has a solid shot, but still needs to work on it. He wasn´t able to show his shot as much at the Euro. The next step for him is the NBBL and getting some minutes in the Pro B with Wedel. He is a good guy and so hard working. He wouldn´t go until he made 10 free throws in a row even if it took him 30 minutes. He has a big career ahead of him.

Germany then lost a tough game to Lithuania 82-75. You stated that it was the little things in crunch-time that cost Germany the win. What did the team learn from this game?

This was a game where Meinberg had foul problems. We had an incredible 18-0 run at the end which showed just how much moral the boys had. They never gave up. It is a shame that we weren´t able to pull out the win at the end. It was little things like a turnover, offensive rebound and 5th foul from Meinberg that cost us the win at the end. They were more clever at the end.

Germany then crushed Romania 79-52. Danny Egbe carried Germany to the win. You stated that he had ups and downs this summer. He averaged 12/3r in the Euro? What do you feel could his game take from the last 2?

Danny is our best 1-1 player and everyone knows just how much potential he has. He is a natural scorer. Coach Bauermann was hard on him, but in the end Danny showed that he could make an impact at both ends even on the defensive end were he has deficits. Danny never put his head down, but continued to work harder and was rewarded in the last two games. His teammates found him and he did a good job defending the other team´s best player.

He shot 37% from outside. It seemed like he took more trust in his shot at the Euro?

He definitely gained more confidence with his shot. In the JBBL, no one could stop him, but at the Euro, it was an adjustment for him. He proved that he could take tough shots and make them as well as out of the pick and roll. He showed that he could do it in tough situations.

Germany then defeated Greece for fifth place 85-77. With all the circumstances involved, was this Germany´s best game of the Euro?

I wouldn´t say it was our overall best game, but the way we were able to execute at the end showed that we could play some very good basketball. We made huge steps as a team in the 8 weeks from the first game until the last game. We gave Bauermann a nice farewell with the win.

How did you see the development of high energy guards Oliver Papez (9/2/1) and Justus Reintjes (7/1/1)? How did their game grow further?

Papez gave the team big impulses and Reintjes was our main ball handler and was great on the defensive close downs especially on Sebastian Lapuste. He also played well against Greece and gave good impulses as a driver. We always had different line ups and everyone gave great support.

Elija Pohlack, Linus Ohr and Lino Schenk were very vital role players. If you had to give an unsung hero award to one of them who would get it?

I would have to say Lino Schenk. He has only played organized basketball for 1.5-2 years. He plays for a small JBBL team Bramfeld. He is still very early in his development and gave us good minutes at the 5. It was quite impressive since he is a 4. I will never forget his big dunk off the pick and roll after only two steps. I would of never thought he could do something like that at the start of the summer. He played tough the whole Euro. Linus also played very well as a ball handler and hit big shots.

You worked 4 years together with Dirk Bauermann. What was the most important piece of info that he gave you?

There were so many things that I learned from him that it would be too difficult to name just one. I picked up just how much energy he brings every day. His drive it so big and always the same no matter if it is a test game or a Euro quarter game. He wants to win every game and had the same drive for 6 weeks at almost 70 years of age. We slept in hostels. His mentally and speeches were amazing. His drive keeps going no matter if a win or loss. I´m really grateful in the trust that he gave me.

Jaroslaw Zinn played 70 minutes in 7 games and had his moments. How vital was this experience for his self-confidence?

I was so happy that he got an opportunity to play. He gets overlooked a lot because of his size. He isn´t listed as a big talent, but is an extreme fighter. He drives 1,5 hours every day from the Giessen area to practice with us. It wasn´t easy for him this summer as he came 5 days before the start and as the 13th man. He began game 1 and then didn´t play so much in games 2-3. I spoke a lot with him explaining it had to do with the match ups. He was so key in the Israel game scoring 5 points in the second half. He also did a good job pushing Linus Ohr. Jaroslaw´s self-confidence really grew this summer.

What will his season look like in 2027-2028? Another season of JBBL and some NBBL minutes?

He is too old for the JBBL: He will play NBBL and fight for a spot. I´m confidence he will make it and also play Regionalliga.

What can we await from the Skyliners Juniors JBBL team this season? What are the goals?

The 2011 year is starting this season. It is definitely an interesting year. We have a lot of guards. We had 3 guys play at the U-15 camp. We also have some bigs. We have a lot of talent. Our biggest goal is to make every player better each day. Our goal will be to reach the Top 4 even if the development of the guys being the biggest priority. I hope we have some Frankfurt players at the 2027 Euro.

What is your coaches Mount Rushmore?

Gregg Popovich, Dirk Bauermann, Gordon Herbert, Klaus Perwas

Thanks Lukas for the chat.

Sahmi “The Willoughbeest Willoughby(Dragons Rhondorf) Is A Modern Day Dennis Rodman Who’s Versatility And Rebounding Will Stick Out

Sahmi Willoughby with Jon Vanderwal

During the dog days of summer when basketball is idle during the phases when there aren´t national team tournaments in the pro and youth sectors, basketball junkies have to pass the time somehow in order not to go totally crazy. It is at this time when clubs are building their rosters for the next season. Of course this time allows for the basketball folk to speculate about how a team might fair with the new players that have arrived. The club press releases are usually so crazily sugar coated about how great that new player is. You can watch as many video´s as possible about that player, but the big question is always, will that player pan out and become that needed reliable piece to a winning formula? It is also always interesting to see how a player will do when he plays for the first time in a new country. That is exactly what German Pro B team Dragons Rhondorf will experience when American Sahmi Willoughby (192-F/G-2001, college: Marietta) straps on the jersey for the first time on September 26th when they face the Basketball Lowen from Erfurt in the season opener. The player had a solid rookie season in Finland where he dominated the Finland-1st Division with Team Pajulahti averaging 22.4ppg, 14.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 47.9%, 3PT: 36.7%, FT: 72.7% which is their second league and demonstrated in their first division Korisliiga averaging 8.7ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 59.4%, 3PT: 22.2%, FT: 80.0% that he could hold his own. Before that he had a decorated career at Marietta (NCAA3) where he won 2 OAC titles and reached a NCAA 3 final 4. What better way to find out the real scoop about Sahmi Willoughby than asking his former head coach Jon Vanderwal who saw at close hand just what kind of player Willoughby became and what kind of person he grew into in his 5 years at Marietta in Ohio. I was thrilled to get contact with coach Vanerwal and his last 2 sentences in the email should make every Dragons Rhondorf fan excited about the coming season and Sahmi Willoughby. “I absolutely love Sahmi Willoughby. He is one of my all time favorites”, stressed Jon Vanderwal. Plus getting a one sentence description like this is what every player dreams of. “Sahmi Willoughby is a great person who has a relentless work ethic and his energy on the basketball court is unmatched”, warned Jon Vanderwal which is how he would describe Sahmi Willoughby in one sentence.

Sahmi Willoughby of Reynoldsburg Ohio played 5 years for Jon Vanderwal from 2019 until 2024 while his coach worked at Marietta from 2010-2025 and had his most prosperous time there with Willoughby. All in all, Vanderwal won 5 OAC regular season titles, won 3 OAC titles (2 with Willoughby), reached 1 NCAA 3 final 4 with him and was voted coach of the year in the OVC three times. Willoughby celebrated a nice development at Marietta and really broke out in his third season and over his last 3 seasons averaged 9/9 stats and as a senior got that double double status in a season averaging 12.6ppg, 10.0rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 52.4%, 3PT: 38.6%, FT: 64.9%. When looking at his stats, it is not weird to believe that his biggest strengths on the court are rebounding and versatility. “His biggest strength is his offensive rebounding ability. He’s worked hard to develop his all around game and has become a good shooter. When you combine this with his rebounding ability, it makes him a lethal player”, stated Jon Vanderwal. Willoughby made massive strides in his rebounding from his senior year at Marietta with 10 to 14 as a rookie in Finland. Going to Marietta was so vital in the rebounding development of him. “We always believed rebounding was the most important statistic and we preached it all the time. Sahmi wanted to find a way into the line up and he took this seriously. He committed himself to the weight room and out competed everyone in practice everyday. He just has a knack for rebounding but he also brings the energy on every possession”, explained Jon Vanderwal. Not only on the offensive end will he shine, but he surely will also be capable of making a impact on the defensive end. “Sahmi is a very good defender who has great length and plays bigger than his frame. He can definitely guard 2-5 positions and provides the defensive a lot of scheme options”, added Jon Vanderwal.

Sahmi Willoughby played 5 years in the NCAA 3 and being able to come overseas and be able to ball for a living is an absolute luxury. Not many guys who play NCAA 3 ball have the opportunity to come overseas. He has had to pay his dues since day 1 and still is as a Pro B player. It is absolutely no surprise that he still has a chip on his shoulder. “Sahmi has always played like he has something to prove. He is the modern day Dennis Rodman who takes pride in out competing his opponents. He was under recruited out of high school who wasn’t extremely skilled. I think he realized that we would need to outwork everybody to achieve his goals”, warned Jon Vanderwal. He had so many incredible games at Marietta like against schools Baldwin and Ohio Northern, but does his former coach have a favorite memory of him at Marietta? “His last home game of his senior year, I challenged him to break the school rebounding record of 23. Sahmi went out and grabbed 24 rebounds. The crowd started to realize he was getting every rebound and started cheering extremely hard every rebound he got. I’m never seen somebody get so much love and excitement from the crowd for grabbing rebounds”, said Jon Vanderwal. Jon Vanderwal has given us an early introduction to what Sahmi Willoughby who got early pro experience before coming overseas with Great Falls Electric (TBL,) averaging 9.8ppg, 9.0rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 47.5%, 3PT: 33.3%, FT: 60.0% can do at both ends of the court, but how does the 25 year old rebound ace present himself off the court? The Dragons Rhondorf organization is a very tight community where family and kids play an important role ´so he should fit in just perfect. “Sahmi is a kind hearted great person. Everybody who has ever met Sahmi, likes him. He is a high character person who is the ultimate teammate. He’s extremely coachable and just wants to do the right thing”, expressed Jon Vanderwal. Seeing him play like Dennis Rodman must have been a real treat game after game, but what about off the court? How did he impress his coach most? “Sahmi consistently returns to Marietta and visits with families who he was close with in. He’s just such a kind hearted, nice young man”, explained Jon Vanderwal. Did he have a special nickname at Marietta? “The Willoughbeest (Wildebeest)– he’s an absolute animal on the court”, warned Jon Vanderwal. One thing certainly won´t change. He had a unique nickname at Marietta and I will do my best to keep it alive during my play by play during home games.

2026 Fiba Masters Open Champion Moritz Wohlers Knew That There Was A Risk Of Losing But That Was Never An Option For Germany

Pic credit: Armin Cicic

Moritz Wohlers (203-PF-1984, college: MSUB) is an ex German professional player that enjoyed a stellar 17 year career that took him to Scotland for 2 seasons with the Scottish Rocks (United Kingdom-BBL) and the rest was in Germany. He played his rookie season in the easyCredit BBL with the Eisbaeren Bremerhaven and also played with teams like Wolfenbuettel, FC Bayern Munich, Munchen Basket and MTSV Friendsfactory Schwabing. He played the longest with TSV Oberaching for 8 years. He also spent some in the USA with Benton Cons High School,Lewis & Clark Community College (NJCAA), McKendree College (NAIA) and Montana State – Billings (NCAA2). He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the Gold medal in the Fiba Masters Open.

Thanks Moritz for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

We play regularly together at FC Bayern Munich, where we’ve now won three German championships in a row. When we heard about the inaugural FIBA Masters Open, it sounded like an excellent competition, so we decided to organize a team. Since this was the first time FIBA had officially hosted the event, we were motivated to become the tournament’s first-ever winners.

You retired 4 years ago. Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

We normally play here at Bayern once a week in a open gym format. It was started as an over 35 team and as we got older we moved once up to the above 40s. Besides playing trying to stay active with other sport activities. This could be regular fitness training, hiking, tennis, paddle or anything that comes around. Having played a similar event last year for the first time, we all knew that we needed to be in good shape. So there was a bit more training and intensity in order to prepare for that many full games in a short period of time.

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

It was a great tournament and we all needed to take vacation from our regular jobs, so there was a mix of competitive basketball and a vacation character as well. On the off day we visited highlights of Athens and of course had some fun together as well. But we also tried to be as professional as possible doing regenration practice, had a physio with us and even did some Yoga 😉

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

The main core of the team plays together at FC Bayern but we also had some joining from other locations so we had really never played all together and needed to find together as a team quickly. I guess it helps that we are over 40 and all have a lot of experience in order to make it work. The other piece is of course to be in good shape to be ready for such a tournament.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The courts were really nice and almost all locations had video streaming so that the families, friends and fans could follow our games. This was really nice for all that could not travel onsite. In general the gyms were really nice but I think now a days the first league conditions here in Germany have an even higher standard. With the high temperatures the air conditioning was of course helpful.

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

The group phase started with a tough team from Greece and we managed to win by 4 points. As we needed to come together we knew that the first game will be a difficult one for us. In general the Group stage was a good start for us and for the semi final and final the competition level really peaked! Probably the most famous player was former NBA Player Nikoloz Tskitishvili who played for Georgia which we faced in the semi final. He was still a tough match up, but we managed to overcome them in a tough game.

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffen Hamann, Dirk Madrich Daniel Lieneke Omari Knox and Daniel Dorr. What was it like playing with them? Were you ever teammates with any of them?

Some of them I know already for a long time. With Dirk I already played back in the day with the A2 National Team and for a long time I played for example against Omari and later together with him at Oberhaching. Overall the basketball World is very well connected and that is what it makes fun to play with these guys and there are connections in every direction that have grown over the years.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich Doerr and Lieneke?

It is not for me to single one out, If I would ask them they all would say themselves. But I think this also shows the competitiveness of this team: Everybody came prepared in good shape and that is of course a big factor for the team success. It also helped to prevent any injuires, whihc we did not have.

What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? He still seems to be in good shape isn´t he?

As our captain he was leading by example by not only being in good shape! We play together once a week and of course it is a lot of fun to play with a player like him where you can also benefit of his style and level of play.

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

We won gold, so I am happy! Of course I wanted to bring and deliver all I got to help the team win, and I was happy with my contribution. But since we all had one common goal it was not really important to look at one individual. We knew we have many options as a team and all only wanted to win and this spirit I was the most happy about.

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

Having full games, also back to back, the recovery is probably even more important than ever. In order to balance this with the aspect that we are not professionals anymore is a tough task to manage, but we managed quiet well.

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

It was a very close game and very physical one as well. We were leading a long time, had a little draw down in the 4th quarter, but kept fighting as a team. Making the important stops, getting the right options and making good decisions. The risk of losing was there, but was not an option for us.

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

I think for everyone that has not seen the match, they should watch the last 1:30min. We were down by 3 when Omari got the steal and went for a fastbreak 3 and made it. Afterwards we played a good defense, secured the ball and then I knew Omari had the confidence to close this game. The way he scored the last 3 was crazy!

What was it like being teammates with Omari Knox? What have you always appreciated most about his game?

He is a very humble person, but can really take over games. Back in the day he was at times a one man show doing everything, so I was really happy that we got him onboard. With his level of play and basketball intelligence it is always a lot of fun to share the court with him.

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

I don´t think there was one play in particular. It was more the overall experience and how good we as a team worked together. It looks like we trained together for a long time and that was really the best feeling.

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

I mean you have to put it into perspective: It is above the age of 40 competition, but who can call themselves World Champions? Of course it is different to playing when I was younger, but I am really happy that we achieved this success!

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

We created memories that will last: on the court and off the court even more! I think that is the beauty of a team sport of basketball and why we all love to play. Being together as a team, competing in a good competition, having fun, what can be better?

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

I think this was not the last tournament we played in. I mean we saw other teams play in other ages categories and it was really fun to watch. It had a unique Basketball character where Basketball generations around the world came together, which was very enjoyable.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Doerr?

100% me – but Daniel probably has a different opinion.

Thanks Moritz for the chat.

Danny Egbe Takes Charge Again Leading Germany To 5th Place Beating Greece 85-77 At the 2026 U-16 Euro

Pic credit: FIBA

It was one more game for fifth place a do or die game for Germany, a game they wanted to win for their coach Dirk Bauermann as it was his last game for Germany, but also for themselves to give themselves real satisfaction for weeks and weeks of hard work that they had invested. However they knew that it wouldn´t be a cake walk against Greece who were also dreaming of a fifth place finish. Greece had a 3-3 record coming into the game and had beaten Slovenia earlier in the tournament and played eventual champion Latvia tough despite losing. Germany had finished fifth twice before at the Euro in 2012 and 2023 and did a third time beating Greece 85-77. It was a real battle as Germany led for the most part except for a short stint in the second quarter where Greece led. Germany mostly had the lead, but could never fully get away from Greece as they let them hang around, but in crunch-time Germany had the better nerves and execution to seal the big win. “We wanted to end the tournament with a win and reward ourselves. The guys did that impressively. Greece is a big basketball nation and to win 7 games in 9 days isn´t easy. We once again invested a lot being able to defend at a high level and moved the ball well on offense and played as a team. We deserved to win and had the best result for a German U.16 team with fifth place”, stressed Frankfurt Skyliners U-16 head coach Lukas Scherer. Just like against the game against Romania a day earlier, Germany set the tone right form the tip off gaining the early momentum and snuck out on a rapid 11-2 lead. In the run, Germany spread the love around instantly as all 5 players scored. Elija Pohlack of Alba Berlin began with a pull up jumper, followed by a Danny Egbe (197-G-2010) (Hamburg) lay in, Johan Meinberg of Hamburg added 3 points as his forceful play inside flourished again, Marko Volf connected on a free throw while Oliver Papez had his usual calmness stroking home a trey. Defensively Germany found a defensive rhythm quickly forcing 2 turnovers with aggressive on ball defensive while Meinberg was a rock inside. But that basketball is a game of runs was proved once again as Greece shocked Germany with 7 unanswered points from 204cm forward Ioannis Spanos of the DEKA U18 team. He exposed his fine game with 2 drives and a pretty floater as Germany couldn´t handle him well. Suddenly Greece trailed only 11-9 with 4,00 minutes to play. Both teams punched back as Germany began with a 5-0 run to lead 16-9 as Papez was Mr reliable again with a trey and Egbe followed with a drive lay in. Greece countered again following with a 6-0 run as Angelos Sasloglou hit a trey and Haralambos Christodoulou of Olympiacos Piraeus took advantage of a Germany turnover with a transition bucket to trail 16-15. Jaroslaw Zinn of Frankfurt added a lay in to give Germany the 18-15 advantage after 10 minutes. It was a usual first quarter where both teams had had runs and both were at eye level.

In the second quarter both teams raised their scoring another notch combining for 48 points, but Germany had the slight edge 44-39 at half-time. Greece fought hard and had the lead twice in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter and began with a slick 8-2 run to lead 23-20. Andreas Barlos who logged 32 minutes off the bench added 5 points including a trey while Angelos Sasloglou added 3 points in the run. Greece was aggressive at both ends and capitalized on 1 Germany turnover. However Germany didn´t let that Greece burst of energy detour their game as they stayed calm and added 7 points to lead 27-25. Johan Meinberg showed his scoring in bunches again with 4 points in the paint while Pohlack erased his turnover earlier with a three point shot. It was a game where both teams were fighting for that fifth place status. Greece was a real hard cookie to crack as they just kept bouncing back and executing and retained the lead once more at 25-24, but after that Germany got the lead back at 33-31 as Egbe continued to find his three point range and Ulm´s Marko Volf used his massive quickness to always find ways to score easily with his drive. Yorgos Monama made a lay in, Stavros Kapsalis a lay in and Eleftherios Adamopoulos a lay in. Greece attacked the German zone fiercely and kept finding cracks and their execution was spot on to stay close. Germany wouldn´t trail again as they closed out the second quarter with the upperhand controlling the lead. Volf continued to dazzle with his pretty game making a floater while Meinberg continued to be unstoppable making a drive lay in for the 37-31 advantage. Greece always had answers to stay on Germany´s tail as Athanasios Spanoulis the son of Greek legend Vassilis made a trey to trail 37-34. However Germany had no offensive let downs, but always had an answer when Greece threatened. Papez made a pretty reverse lay up while Egbe like in so many other games had the hot hand and nerves dropping another trey as Germany had the slight 5 point lead at the break.

Greece won the third quarter 21-20, but couldn´t get over the hump as Germany stayed strong never relinquishing the lead as they led 64-60 after 30 minutes. Germany got instant support and energy from Danny Egbe to start the second half as he made a lay in and offensive rebound and putback. He was such an instrumental force in these last 2 games as he had 42 points in the last being so vital for the German success. “Danny had a lot of ups and downs this summer. But he never hung his head and showed a lot of moral and was rewarded. The last games showed just how good he is and how much potential he has. Everyone knows he can score, but vital was that he can be an impact and dominate at both ends of the court. He showed that and helped us. But everyone is a part of the success, even the 13th and 14th players and 15th who didn´t make the cut this summer. This team was so good and so close together and were the reason why we were so successful”, warned Lukas Scherer. Greece kept attacking and fighting and got close again with a Haralambos Christodoulou lay in to trail 48-45. Two Marios Karavasilis free throws brought Greece to 50-49, but Germany always had an answer as Justus Reintjes who had been quiet this game connected on a trey and Meinberg scored inside again as Germany led 57-49. Germany continued pouring on the offensive power as Lino Ohr of the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim scored 4 points for Germany to lead 64-54 as it seemed like Germany was going to pull away. But Greece stayed alert and strong and ended the third quarter with a 6-0 run to trail only by 4 points. Andreas Barlos made a lay in and Athanasios Spanoulis hit another clutch trey to keep Greece close.

It was a nail bitter of a game and 10 minutes left and now it was all about who wanted it more. head coach Dirk Bauermann had the correct words before the start of the fourth quarter as his boys jumped all over Greece with a lethal 9-2 run to lead 73-62 and Germany would never look back even if Greece would get dangerously close one more time to trail only by 3 points down the stretch. In the run, Germany again showed their penetration strength getting lay in´s from Volf, Meinberg and Reintjes while Egbe again hit a big trey as he shot 75% from down town in the game. Any other team could of laid down and died, but not Greece as they never stopped fighting. They got key baskets from Spanos and Monama to trail 75-69 and stay on Germany´s heels with 5,16 to play. But Germany continued to be efficient and again had an answer as Schenk scored in the paint and Germany led 77-69. Crunch-time was arriving and Greece gave their last bit of energy as Monama added 5 points including a trey as Greece trailed only 77-74 with 2,37 to play. Germany missed 2 free throws and might have showed a few nerves in this phase. Greece were extra alert on the boards with an offensive rebound and defended for the whole shot clock. Germany then got 4 free throws in a row with 3 from Egbe and 1 from Meinberg for the 81-74 advantage with 1,06 to play. Barlos then hit a clutch trey for Greece to trail 81-77 with 52 seconds to play. Germany then stayed cool and got Ohr free throws and a Schenk transition basket to close out the win and 5th place finish. “Our crunch time results had distinguished us the whole tournament. We always stuck together and kept going and defended well at the end as a team. It is great that the guys could reward themselves for their performance and go home with a win”, stated Lukas Scherer. Germany was led by Danny Egbe with 22 points and Johan Meinberg had 14 points while Greece was led by Ioannis Spanos with 16 points and Andreas Barlos had 13 points. Germany shot 46% from the field and 35% from outside and had 45 rebounds and 17 turnovers. Greece shot 36% from the field and 30% from outside and had 41 rebounds and 15 turnovers. Dirk Bauermann ended his time as German U-16 coach and now heads to Greece to coach club basketball again. Did he get a shower in the dressing room? “Coach let Linus Ohr give him the shower who decided the game at the end with 2 important free throws. But he already had gotten a shower from one or the another guys before that. Of course everyone will say their farewells to coach in one way or the other. One can´t say enough how thankful we all are for how much he has done for the German basketball. I´m also really grateful that I could work with him the last 4 years. We all wish him the best in Patras”, said Lukas Scherer.

Winning The Fiba Masters Open Was One Of Daniel Doerr´s Biggest Achievements In His Career Along With His Jersey Retirement

Pic credit: Armin Cicic

Daniel Doerr is a former German professional player that enjoyed a 15 + year career in Germany retiring in 2018. He played most of his career in Lich, but also played in Crailsheim and for the Giessen Pointers playing 380+ pro games. He recently took part at the Fiba Masters open and won the Gold medal. He spoke to germanhoops.com about his experience in Greece.

Thanks Daniel for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. You retired 8 years ago. Do you still keep in shape? In what kind of shape did you go into the tournament?

I still try to stay in shape. I work out 2-3 a week and never really stopped doing sports . In think my condition was pretty ok for my age

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

Sometimes it felt a little bit like vacation but we didn’t really had time off. We only had 2 off days out of 10. Most of the times we were practicing, doing yoga or lifting weights to keep our focus .

With guys 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

We had a 3 day training camp in May to prepare a little bit , all guys play in over 40‘s league so they basically stay in shape the whole year . More than half of the players are from Bayern Munich who won the German Championship 3 years in a row. So they know each other pretty well which helps a lot.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The conditions were pretty solid , I wouldn’t say first league standard but pretty good.

What was it like for you playing 3X3? Was this something you have done over the years?

I didn’t play3x3 in a lot of years

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

Thr competition was really good. I was surprised . A lot of former First league players from Greece , Italy , Georgia etc. Georgia even had an former NBA player ( Tskisvhli) on their team .

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffan Hamann, Dirk Madrich Moritz Wohlers Omari Knox and Daniel Lieneke. What was it like playing with them? Were you ever teammates with any of them?

Just a great group of guys , we really had great chemistry. I only knew Dirk Mädrich from the under 20 National team . And I played against Hamann , Wohlers and Lieneke in the Pro A.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich Lieneke and Wohlers?

I would say Hamann and Lieneke were in the best shape.

You never played in the BBL. What was it like being teammates with 2005 Euro Silver medalist Steffen Hamann? He still seems to be in good shape isn´t he?

Actually not true . When I played for Lich I a had a double license for the BBL team 46ers and played a couple of minutes in the 2003 BBL playdowns and in some cup games as well. But I never was a BBL player, I was a solid 2 league player . It was a great experience to play with a basketball legend like Steffen. He still got serious game .

How did you present your game? How content were you with your game?

I really struggled offensively and I was a little disappointed in the beginning. But then I started to focus more on rebounds and defense to help the team and give Moritz and Dirk some rest . The longer the tournament went on , the more I adapted the role of getting rebounds and playing defense . We had enough scorers anyway. I really enjoyed this role after a while because since I struggled offensively I think this was the best way to help the team

What was the biggest challenge for a guy your age in this tournament besides the in shape aspect?

The biggest challenge probably was that you had 5 games in 7-8 days with workouts in between. Even for a 25 year old , that’s not easy to handle for the body

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

I knew Italy gonna be a tough matchup because besides us they were in the best shape . But I also knew if we play hard from the beginning, we were going to win it

Talk a little about the last play. Omari Knox made the last shot. How exciting was that play?

Omari last two plays were some of the craziest things I ever saw live on a basketball court . He was ice cold crazy, I went nuts on the bench

What was your own personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

My favorite play definitely was when Omari stole the ball in the finals against italy with down by 3 points . Instead of making a wide open layup, he stopped on the 3 point line a swished the 3 with 50 seconds on the clock . That was Jordanesque

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

The Gold medal is probably the biggest achievement in my career along with my jersey retirement . For me it is really really special

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

What I will remember the most is probably the special group of guys. So many different characters working for one goal . It really was a great time and we all enjoyed the time we spend together .It was special

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

We will see, if my body feels good i’ll probably play in some more tournaments.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Daniel Lieneke?

One on one i’ll probably win because I’m the better low post player, which helps a lot in one on one games.

Thanks Daniel for the chat.

France Tear Apart Germany 87-58 To Reach The Round Of 16 At The 2026 U-16 Euro

Pic credit: FIBA

Germany wanted to bounce back after their brutal loss to Slovenia which put them at 1-1 in the U-16 Euro competition. However in their third game, they definitely had no cake walk as they had to encounter 2-0 France who had defeated their first 2 foes Slovenia and Belgium by an average amount of 24 points. Germany had to clean up their team defense against France, improve their three point shooting and have less turnovers. But for the second day in a row, Germany was outclassed losing 87-58 to France. Germany was pounded on the boards and their three didn´t fall. On top of that, they were without Marko Volf. “We knew what we were up against, but still were unable to match their unbelievable athleticism and physicality. We had a bad start and had no solution for their aggressive defense. But like in the games before, we showed that we had a lot of moral and character. We never gave up and kept fighting. Other teams would have given up and hung their heads. We fought back and were able to have a more even second half against France. They can be really proud of that”, stressed Frankfurt Skyliners JBBL coach Lukas Scherer. France wasted no time attacking Germany and before anyone knew what was, France led 10-0 and soon after 17-2 as Germany had experienced the worst case scenario for a start. Germany began with little energy and let France get out on transition and take advantage of their early turnovers. Emmanuel Destom of FC Barcelona Lassa 2nd team (Spain-Tercera FEB) scored 6 of France´s first 8 points as he electrified the crowd with a dunk and two lay in´s. France was playing unselfish ball from the get go spreading the love around as Liham Eleka of BCM Gravelines Dunkerque Grand L. U21 team (ProA U21) also scored twice on transition while Liam Kabeya of Pole France Paris (NM1) hit a trey to show that France wasn´t only potent on the drive. Germany was down by 15 points with 5,46 to play and they had already suffered 4 turnovers. Germany´s only bright spot was a lay in by Hamburg´s Danny Egbe. Hamburg´s Lino Schenk then responded with a lay in, but Germany was too inconsistent on offensive execution as France struck again for it´s next run going on 9 consecutive points to lead 26-4. In the run, France mostly attacked the rim with success as Taïg Nonga Drieux of Pole France Paris (NM1) scored 6 points and Deston dropped a trey. Germany didn´t have the needed defensive intensity and made it very easy for France to get easy looks and baskets. The whole first quarter wasn´t a washout for Germany as they closed out the first quarter with a 11-6 run to trail 32-15. Oliver Papez of Bonn scored 6 points showing his inside out game and Johan Meinberg was aggressive inside getting 2 buckets.

In the second quarter Germany took the momentum of the last quarter and allowed only 15 points being more aggressive on the defensive end, but had little solutions on the offensive end scoring only 11 points to trail 47-26 at the break. Germany defended better in the second quarter, but also had some fortune that France missed some key free throws, but still were getting beaten on the boards as offensive rebounds led to easy baskets like for Taïg Nonga Drieux who scored twice as well as Livio Mendes who gave good support from the bench with 5 points including a three pointer as France still had the commanding and overwhelming 41-21 advantage. Germany couldn´t muster much offense except for a Justus Reintjes lay in on transition and 4 points from Lukas Schmidt of Porsche BBA / BSG Basket Ludwigsburg. Germany didn´t have the needed aggressiveness as the absence of Marko Volf really hurt the German offense. ”Losing your best player hurts a lot. Mark´s good experience and qualities would have helped us a lot against them. But other guys stepped up and took more responsibility. Guys like Linus Ohr and Oliver Papez did a good job taking responsibility with scoring”, stated Lukas Scherer. Linus Ohr of the HAKRO Merlins Crailsheim gave the team good energy in the last minutes with 5 points, but all in all Germany was facing a massive uphill battle against a hungry and athletic French side who had total control of the game. France shot 54% from the field and 30% from outside and had 24 rebounds and 5 turnovers while Germany shot 34% from the field and 15% from outside and had 12 rebounds and 9 turnovers.

In the third quarter France was in the drivers seat with a big lead and continued to manage the lead well and won the quarter 22-17 to lead comfortably 69-43 after 30 minutes. Liham Eleka found his spots well and made a jump shot to get France on the board first in the second half, but then came another strong phase by Germany as they rushed out on a 8-2 run to trail only 51-34 as there was a little hope again for Germany, but they were still a long way from being near France. In the run, Germany found some aggressiveness again attacking the rim the way a Volf would of as 4 different guys scored with Meinberg, Schenk, Pohlack of Alba Berlin and Egbe. However that basketball is a game of runs is no secret as Germany couldn´t hold the momentum and allowed France to go on a 11-2 run to up their lead to 62-36. In the run, France was led by Messie-Guethan Iwani of PFYM INSEP Paris U18 team with 4 points while Isaac Ramphort (186-PG-2010) of Olympique Antibes Juan Les Pins U18 team gave good energy from the bench with 5 points. France continued to show their bench worth as they always had guys stepping up. Germany got a few buckets in the last minutes with a lay in from Papez, a lay up from Jaron Braun of Braunschweig and a trey from Berin Nurkic from FC Bayern Munich, but Germany was already in such a big hole that they now needed a major miracle in the fourth quarter. France shot 50% from the field and 23% from the three point line and had 35 rebounds and 9 turnovers while Germany shot 38% from the field and 18% from the three point line and had 21 rebounds and 14 turnovers.

That miracle didn´t occur in the fourth quarter as France managed their big lead well defending well allowing 15 points while adding 18 points to close out the simple victory. Germany begam with a bang as Oliver Papez hit for 5 unanswered points to trail 69-48. However that didn´t faze France as they demonstrated just how strong they could be as they punched back rattling off 11 points in a row to up their lead up again to 80-48. They had been pretty quiet with their three ball, but now decided to let it rain three´s as they connected for 3 as Iwani, Ilian Toholin of Pole France Paris (NM1) and Laynce Mendy of Pole France Paris (NM1) all connected from the parking lot. That was the final dagger in the heart of Germany as the game was a real rout with 4,52 to play. Germany closed out the game well outscoring France as Egbe scored on a lay up, Schenk scored twice including a dunk and Reintjes made a lay in. For the second day in a row, Germany was schooled by a very good team that attacked from the get go and never stopped until the final buzzer. “Now the tournament really starts. France is simply better at this age. But we know that we can beat every other team if we can play our game for 40 minutes. We have shown character, never given up and always believe in ourselves. Now we have a day to rest and prepare for Israel”, added Lukas Scherer. France was led by Nonga Drieux with 16 points while Isaac Ramphort added 15 points while Germany was led by Oliver Papez with 13 points. France shot 47% from the field and 35% from the parking lot and had 47 rebounds and 12 turnovers while Germany shot 38% from the field and 19% from the parking lot and had 32 rebounds and 20 turnovers.

Marko Volf Leads Germany To Sparkling 82-60 Romp Over Belgium To Start The 2026 U-16 Euro

Pic credit: FIBA

Germany came into the 2026 U-16 European championships with a sort of a chip on their shoulder having finished last year in 9th place. In their first game, they had to face Belgium who had reached the final last year in the B group. Germany came into the game as the favorite being coached from German basketball legend Dirk Bauermann who had won numerous titles with the Bayer Giants Leverkusen in the 90´s and in the 2000´s won titles with Bamberg and the silver with the German national team and Dirk Nowitzki in 2005. Germany began the 2026 U-16 Euro on a positive note beating Belgium 82-60. “We were concentrated and began well. Bost most importantly always stuck together in tough situations and never let our heads hang and always believed on our strength. We defended well in crucial phases and made the extra pass on offense. A first game is never easy, but the guys had good solutions and got extra confidence for the next game”, stressed Skyliner JBBL coach Lukas Scherer. Germany stormed out to a rapid 7-3 lead as ratiopharm Ulm´s big talent Marko Volf (185-PG-2009) scored consecutive buckets in the paint. He is a player that likes to get hot quickly and didn´t waste any time. Germany added a trey from Skyliner Jaroslav Zinn who is the future of the organization. “I´m so proud of Jaroslaw and how he played today. He was nominated so late for the Euro and then to begin the game as the starting point guard isn´t easy. One has to really laud how relaxed and sure he was. Is primary task was to put a lot of pressure on the ball and to have responsibility on offense to control the game and to organize it. He did both well. He also was able to create well for his teammates and himself. He also proved that he had no fear to take responsibility at this level. It was a really strong Euro debut for him. He can be proud of himself and I´m sure his performance will give him more security and confidence for the next games”, commented Lukas Scherer. Zinn finished with 9 points in 15 minutes on 3/3 shooting. Belgium forward Gabriel De Coninck from Orange Academy who is familiar with the German players struck back with a clutch three pointer to trail only 7-6. However Germany kept up the pressure and went on a 7-0 run and led comfortably 17-11 after one quarter. In the run Germany continued to be aggressive attacking the rim as Volf scored and Elija Pohlack of Alba Berlin hit free throws while big man Jaron Braun of SG Junior Löwen Braunschweig made a lay in. Braun also has a brother Elijah who plays in Braunschweig as both are the sons of former German national player Oliver Braun. Germany had been aggressive and disciplined on the defensive end not allowing anything easy for Belgium and had the edge on the glass.

In the second quarter Germany had a soild start managing their lead well leading by as much as 9 points, but let up a little in the last minutes and only led 33-32 at the break. Hamburg Towers electric athletic beast Danny Egbe gave Germany some real energy scoring 6 consecutive points. He showed just how lethal he can be when unleashed as he scored a lay in, free throws and a thunderous dunk. His 3 level scoring is evident. Zinn and Volf also added buckets inside while 2026 JBBL (U-16) champion with Bonn Oliver Papez nailed a trey for the 29-20 advantage for Germany. Germany continued to defend well and were securing the defensive rebounds well. However Germany was unable to hold the momentum and allowed a 12-2 run to Belgium to close out the first half. Belguim´s run was led by Alexander Triki who scored twice inside including once off a turnover while Joah Ikoma Yaliko also scored off a steal. Belgium upped their intensity on the defensive end as Germany had to fight hard to get good shots. Jeremiah Tchekouyep also added a lay in as Belgium also turned on the aggressiveness on the offensive end. Germany shot 39% from the field and only 16% from outside and had 20 rebounds and 11 turnovers while Belgium shot 39% from the field and 25% from outside and had 16 rebounds and 11 turnovers. Germany´s big talent under the hoop Johan Meinberg wasn´t a force scoring, but did a great job filling the stat sheet and being that genuine rim protector.

In the third quarter Germany came out cooking as head coach Dirk Bauermann had them prepared with the right state of mind as they hit Belgium with a nasty 10-0 run to extend their lead to 43-32. Pohlack and Meinberg scored inside while Papez demonstrated his fierce range again from outside connecting from the parking lot while Marco Volf added 3 free throws. Belgium coughed up the ball twice in the run and also missed a few lay ups. Belgium recovered getting buckets from Mats Pepermans and free throws from Youssef Zagdoud, but Germany was always able to punch back as Danny Egbe fired 2 three´s keeping Germany ahead 49-35. Egbe shows that he has a very versatile scoring game unveiling his outside shot in this phase. Belgium actually cut Germany´s lead down to 6 points with Lowie Van de Vyver free throws, but Germany remained mentally strong closing out the third quarter with 4 Egbe free throws. He is a player that loves carrying his team and did so in this phase. Germany got added scoring insurance from Egbe teammate Lino Luca Schenk (Hamburg Towers) as Germany led 56-49 after 30 minutes. Germany shot 40% from the field and 27% from the three point line and had 26 rebounds and 14 turnovers while Belgium shot 42% from the field and 20% from the three point line and had 25 rebounds and 17 turnovers.

In the fourth quarter Germany kept Belgium within 10 points, but after a few minutes went on a lethal run to decide the game in their favor. Belgium got two quick lay in´s from Youssef Zagdoud, but it was Oliver Papez again who showed again why he is Mr reliable always coming up big with the massive three as Pascal Roller did back in the day with the Frankfurt Skyliners to lead 59-51. Germany then went on a 12-4 run to slam the door shut on Belgium leading 71-55. Team leader Marko Volf led the charge with 3 buckets in the paint as Belgium had no remedy how to slow down his drive while his team Justus Reintjez who had been quiet in the game scored 2 lay in´s while Lino Schenk also scored in the paint. The German guards were a force, but the German bigs seemed to always give good support in needed moments. Belgium had little energy left in crunch time as Reintjez scored another lay in while Zinn added a trey for good measure as Germany easily led 76-57 with 3,01 to play in the game. Role player Linus Ohr of the Harko Merlins Crailsheim also got into the scoring trend dropping a trey for Germany as did Lukas Schmidt (Porsche BBA, BSG Basket Ludwigsburg) as Germany had full command leading 82-60 with 33 seconds remaining. It was a great start for the German U-16 team in the 2026 Euro championships. “Our biggest strength today was that we always stayed together as a team and never stopped believing in ourselves. Even when Belgium played better and made the game tighter, we were always able to make the right decisions and we deserved to win the game. Also our better team defense in the second half was an important factor”, stated Lukas Scherer. Germany was led by Marko Volf who had 20 points while Danny Egbe added 16 points while Belgium was led by Youssef Zagdoud with 13 points and Joah Ikoma Yaliko added 10 points. Germany shot 48% from the field and 37% from outside and had 38 rebound and 19 turnovers while Belgium shot 38% from the field and 15% from outside and had 32 rebounds and 20 turnovers. Germany next battle Slovenia tomorrow.

Omari Knox’s Game Winner at The The 2026 Fiba Masters Open Stands As One Of The Best In His Career

pic credit: Armin Cicic

Omari Knox (185-SG-1986, college: Bloomfield) is a former American/German guard that enjoyed a 14 year professional season in Germany. He played most of his career for Mario Matic in Oberaching, but also played with the TSV Dachau Spurs, RheinStars Cologne, TuS Bad Aibling Fireballs (Germany-Regionalliga) and with the Ebbecke White Wings Hanau. He began his basketball career with New Utrecht High School and then played at Bloomfield College (NCAA2). He recently helped Germany win the Fiba Masters Open and spoke to germanhoops.com about the experience.

Thanks Omari for talking to germanhoops.com. You recently took part at the Fiba Masters Open. How did that come about?

Thank you, Miles for the interview. A few of the guys Steffen and Mo had asked me the last years to play for the ü35 Team but I was still active as a player. Now having freshly retired, I felt it was time to join the guys. I’m happy I was able to take part.

Wasn´t it for guys 40 and older? Technically you don’t turn 40 until November?

Yes they actually take the birth year 1986 and older.. I was the rookie in the team.

The tournament was in Greece. Did it feel like a little vacation at the time?

It absolutely felt like a vacation. Our apartment was literally up the street from the beach. We were in the water every day that we were there.

You had retired in 2025. Did you stay in shape the last year in any way?

It was nearly impossible to stay in game shape throughout the year because I have been so busy training my youth teams and doing organisational work for the club. At some point in the year, I joined FC Bayern Munich to practice and play a few games with the Bayernliga team to get back into shape. Still, I somehow was only able to practice about 10 times in the span of three months.

With guys over 40 or over, how did Germany prepare for this tournament? How much can one prepare when guys are 40 or over?

Coach Jens and Steffen did a great job of holding practices throughout the year once a week to keep guys in shape. As the German Championships got closer, we managed to practice a bit more and also get in a few test games. Jens also held yoga sessions before every practice which made a world of difference.

The conditions were state of the art. Talk a little about how nice everything was? There was featuring wooden flooring, and air conditioning, Did it compare to first league conditions?

The gyms were very nice inside. Most were very old but air-conditioned, with wooden floors and very comfortable to play in. In comparison to 1st league German team’s facility’s they were much smaller, but still very nice to play in.

Talk a little about the competition. How good were the other countries in general and were there some notable players from back in the day?

There were many good players who took part in the tournament. I could tell that several of them were very good in their prime. Several first and second league players in their own countries (Greece, Italy, Georgia. Before our final game we watched the over 60 Finals between Australia and Serbia. This was amazing to watch both countries still compete at such a high level, and see their sharp basketball I.Q. The most notable player that we faced (in the semi finals) was former NBA lottery pick Nikoloz Tskitishvili.

Talk a little about your teammates. There were some known guys like Steffan Hamann, Dirk Madrich Moritz Wohlers Daniel Dorr and Daniel Lieneke. What was it like playing with them? Weren´t you teammates once with Wohlers?

It was a lot of fun to play with those guys. So many years of experience all on one team. Everyone on the same page wanting to compete and win. Sacrificing their bodies, taking charges and going after rebounds. It was amazing to see. Everyone encouraged me to play my game and be me, whenever I was being too passive on the offensive end. They made it very easy to fit in. Mo and I played together in Oberhaching so the chemistry was already there for sure.

Who was in best basketball and physical shape between Hamann, Madrich and Wohlers?

I think Steffen and Dirk were both in pretty decent shape. Steffen often picked up full court on defense and took a ton of charges throughout the whole tournament. We played through Dirk for a lot of the tournament because most of the teams didn’t have anyone who could stop him. He also ran the floor well, set a lot of screens and had to defend probably the toughest matchup (Tskitishvili) of the tournament, in the semi finals. Mo was also in pretty decent shape and played a ton of minutes.

Had you had dealings with Steffen Hamann? Late in his career he played with FC Bayern Munich from 2010-2014 when you were playing for TSV Dachau. Had you ever been on a court with him back in the day?

I watched Steffen a lot in my early years here in Germany as he was the lead guy. I can’t remember ever being on the court with him.

When looking at your stats you were up and down but saved your best for the semi-final and final scoring 16 and 17 points. How content were you with your game?

In the group stage and also throughout most of the tournament I was being more of a facilitator and creating shots for the rest of the guys. They kept telling me to be more aggressive. I guess the difference in the semi finals and finals were that the competition level raised a bit and my scoring was then needed. I was happy to be able to fit nicely into a team who had previously won a silver medal in the European championship.

Germany won the final against Italy 69-66. How exciting was this game? Was there any doubt that Germany wouldn´t win this game?

The last game was very exciting for everyone I think. The fans in the gym, and everyone who watched on the stream definitely got a show. The game was back and forth the entire time. I honestly never really had the feeling that we would lose, even in the final minutes with it being so close.

Talk a little about the last play. You made the game winning shot. Where does that rank with your best game winners in your career?

The last play of the game definitely stands up there as one of the best in my career. Although it’s a shot I’ve made a ton of times in my career, for me to make it in such an important moment to win a gold medal was truly something special.

What was your personal favorite play on the court during the whole tournament?

My personal favourite play for the tournament would probably have to be the steal and the 3pt shot to tie the game, in the Final. I’ve gotten so many questions about that play, and what was going through my mind. For me, it was a now or never moment and I got clean look at the rim and was able to take advantage of it to tie the game.

What does the Fiba Masters Open Gold Medal and MVP award mean to you? Where do you rank it in your whole career?

This Gold medal and MVP award mean everything to me. It was an opportunity to represent the entire country in international competition. It ranks up there at the top of my career accolades and accomplishments.

When you look back at this experience in 20 years, what will you remember most from it?

I will of course remember the success of winning the gold medal, but mostly the fun we had as group. Beach parties, water aerobics, yoga, and dinners with Greek food and Ouzo.

Do you think like you will take part in more of these kind of tournaments down the road?

I hope that this was only the first. I look forward to playing a few more as long as my schedule and body allow it.

Who wins a 1-1 on the court in 2026, you or Steffen Hamann?

. Hahaha, if you asked me who would win between me and Lebron James I would still pick myself. I’d say I’d beat Steffen one in one.

Thanks Omari for the chat.

German Hoops

Covering Basketball In Germany!

football

Dirk Maedrich Wins 2026 Fiba Masters Open And Will Never Forget The Special Mix Of Friendships, Camaraderie, Celebrating And Being A Team Together

Winning The Fiba Masters Open Gold Was Fantastic For Daniel Lieneke But Bonding Together And Having Fun Is What Team Sports Is All About

Lukas Scherer Was Very Blessed To Work 4 Years With Dirk Bauermann And Now Will Continue To Help Develop His Skyliner JBBL Players

Sahmi “The Willoughbeest Willoughby(Dragons Rhondorf) Is A Modern Day Dennis Rodman Who’s Versatility And Rebounding Will Stick Out

2026 Fiba Masters Open Champion Moritz Wohlers Knew That There Was A Risk Of Losing But That Was Never An Option For Germany

Danny Egbe Takes Charge Again Leading Germany To 5th Place Beating Greece 85-77 At the 2026 U-16 Euro

Winning The Fiba Masters Open Was One Of Daniel Doerr´s Biggest Achievements In His Career Along With His Jersey Retirement

France Tear Apart Germany 87-58 To Reach The Round Of 16 At The 2026 U-16 Euro

Marko Volf Leads Germany To Sparkling 82-60 Romp Over Belgium To Start The 2026 U-16 Euro

Omari Knox’s Game Winner at The The 2026 Fiba Masters Open Stands As One Of The Best In His Career