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Sports / Basketball
Olympic dream still alive for Germany's Nowitzki
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-13 05:35
MADRID, Sept 12 - Dirk Nowitzki's dream of playing at the Beijing
Olympics next year is still alive after Germany beat Italy to qualify for
the European Championship quarter-finals, the player said on Wednesday.
The 2005 silver medallists had been on the verge of elimination from
Group F following defeats by France and Slovenia but beat Italy 67-58,
setting up a last eight meeting with favourites and hosts Spain.
The Dallas Mavericks forward has made no secret of his desire to play at
an Olympics and there are two automatic qualification spots available at
the tournament. Spain have already made it as world champions.
"I missed Sydney 2000 by a couple of points and Athens in 2004 so I would
love to go but there is still a long way to go yet," the 29-year-old said
after the game.
"This is a small step. Spain are favourites but it should be a fun match
for us."
Germany recovered from the humiliating 77-47 defeat by Slovenia two days
ago with improved contributions from the rest of Germany's squad.
They have suffered from an over-reliance on Nowitzki, the first European
to be voted MVP of the NBA regular season last year but against Italy the
bench were key to the victory.
Nowitzki scored 15 points and took 10 rebounds but Jan Jagla weighed in
with 10 rebounds, Johannes Herber 15 points and Steffen Hamann 10.
"It wasn't pretty but it was a great team effort. All the young boys came
in for us and gave us a lot of energy and a lift off the bench. We were
really fighting," Nowitzki added.
"Slovenia was a frustrating game but we knew there was one game left and
we had to give it our best shot. We had to put that result behind us as
quick as possible."
Germany play Spain on Thursday.
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