Germany Basketball Faces Setback in World Cup Qualifying
February 28, 2026
Key Takeaways from Zagreb
The German men’s national basketball team, reigning World and European champions, experienced a surprising 88-93 loss to Croatia in a World Cup qualifying game on Friday evening in Zagreb. This defeat marks only the second international setback for the team in their last 20 matches.
Coach Mumbrú Expresses Disappointment
“We have too many errors made for a close game,”
Álex Mumbrú, Germany National Basketball Coach
Despite the loss, the team has a chance to rebound quickly. The second leg of the qualifying series is scheduled for Sunday in Bonn, where Germany will aim to avoid another defeat. All results from these qualifying games will carry over into the second qualifying phase.
Looking Ahead to Qatar 2027
While the loss is a concern, there is no major cause for concern heading into the 2027 finals in Qatar
. The team is currently ranked second in the FIBA World Ranking.
Mumbrú acknowledged the strong performance of the Croatian team, stating, There was a good atmosphere here, which is what we need at home on Sunday
. He similarly noted, In the first half we had a good rhythm offensively and defensively and stuck to the game plan. In the third quarter we gave up a few lay-ups and three-pointers too easily.
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Historical Context
Germany has a rich basketball history, with 26 appearances at the EuroBasket, securing gold medals in 1993 and 2025, a silver in 2005, and a bronze in 2022. They have also competed in seven FIBA World Cups, winning gold in 2023 and bronze in 2002. The team is directed by the German Basketball Federation (DBB).
- FIBA Ranking: 2 (as of December 2, 2025)
- EuroBasket Gold Medals: 1993, 2025
- FIBA World Cup Gold Medal: 2023
FAQ
What is Germany’s current FIBA ranking?
Germany is currently ranked second in the FIBA World Ranking (as of December 2, 2025).
When did Germany last win a EuroBasket gold medal?
Germany last won a EuroBasket gold medal in 2025.
Who is the coach of the German national basketball team?
The coach of the German national basketball team is Álex Mumbrú.