BERLIN (Germany) - Germany are celebrating a first ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Quarter-Finals ticket and a large chunk of their sucess on home soil has been due to the leadership of Leonie Fiebich.
After their disastrous start against Spain, Germany could have crumbled. Instead, they've completed a remarkable turnaround with four consecutive wins.
With Thursday's mouth-watering matchup with Belgium now next in line, the hosts will need Fiebich to continue imposing her sizeable influence on the group.
Billed as one of the Top 20 players to watch heading into the tournament, Fiebich may not have made as much noise as usual on the scoring front, but she has been dominant in virtually every other facet of the game.
Through the first three games, she has averaged just 8.3 points on 27% shooting. From three-point range? Just 3-of-20. But she has also contributed 8.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
"Obviously she can't make a shot to save her life right now," joked Nyara Sabally. "but it's Leo.
"The shots will come."
In the do-or-die against Korea, the shots came a little bit as she put up 8 points. And was still doing a little bit of everything, posting 10 rebounds and 4 assists.
One stat says it all: Leo Fiebich has played more minutes than any other German player since the beginning of the tournament.
"She's still such an important part. If she's on court, she draws so much attention. Just her being on the court helps us tremendously," Sabally added.
"Obviously, we know what she does on the defensive end."
Three blocks is what she did on the defensive end in this game, and they didn't come quietly either.
"She's such an elite defender."
Shrugging off the dip in her usual shooting numbers - both in attempts and makes - she has found countless other ways to make an impact.
"She doesn't really need to communicate [about her scoring struggles]. We know her so well," said Sabally. "We know she's going to do her best. What we get from her night-in, night-out, whether the shots fall or don't fall, she plays with the same amount [of effort].
She has controlled the tempo, injected calm and confidence into demanding situations, and facilitated beautifully. She has also shown just how good a passer she can be, particularly when feeding Germany’s bigs inside.
Fiebich has also been outstanding defensively, crashing the boards as if her life depended on it and repeatedly standing up when Germany needed her most.
She's incredible. I never want to take her out, but I have to.
With her on the perimeter, Germany have a tall and physical guard who gives her coach plenty of options at both ends of the floor.
Her presence has taken Germany to another physical dimension.
"I feel like she just tenacity to be on the court and just her will, her want, to play and win. I mean, its top notch," insisted Sabally. The endorsements were also rolling from another teammate in the shape of Frieda Buhner - as well as head coach, Olaf Lange.
"Leo knows how to make an impact. She is so huge for us offensively and defensively. I don't know if she does anything wrong," smiled Buhner.
"She's definitely our best player and such a big leader as well. She has the experience and talks to us a lot." Meanwhile Coach Lange confessed that it's tough having to bring her off the floor at any point in a game. He explained: "She's incredible. I never want to take her out, but I have to. "She does pass the ball too much. Not today, but in the first two games, I would have wished she could shot the ball a bit more.
"But she really makes sure we play in the right way, because we're emphasising making the right play, ball movement, especially early and quick. And when the best player does that, then every member of the team follows. And she does that without having to be told." "She's incredibly important on both ends of the floor. But I also know her well enough to say that now when she's needed in terms of scoring and shooting the ball, she will shoot the ball," concluded Lange.
The contributions of Fiebich have meant the world to the huge crowd in Berlin, who have already witnessed Germany reach their highest-ever finish at a major tournament.
But now Belgium stand in the way. And with Fiebich at the helm on the floor, could there be a real fairytale waiting to be written?
FIBA