ISTANBUL (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Germany achieved their main goal of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers last month by punching their ticket for China 2019 with four games to spare. 

However, the team's captain, Robin Benzing, indicated they also learned a valuable lesson from the ongoing campaign, namely that they cannot expect to succeed on the world's biggest stage by playing as they did in the crazy game against Israel.

Henrik Rodl's charges booked their spot at next summer’s global spectacle with a thrilling overtime win over Israel in Leipzig on September 16. The hosts did not make matters easy on themselves though as they fell behind by 23 points before fighting back to register a 112-98 win that was only made possible thanks to a miracle finish in regulation that forced the extra session.

"That game was one of, or probably, the wildest and craziest games ever," admitted Benzing, who tallied in 24 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. "It was very important to win that game, somehow. But we didn’t deserve it and we were very lucky.

"We cannot play like that, especially at home, nor at the World Cup. Everything can happen and we never gave up, but if we play like that in the tournament, we will go home without a win."

The victory - deserved or not - meant Germany return to the World Cup after missing four years ago in Spain.

"This is a huge step and a very important step for Germany. We missed the last World Cup but now we're back and we have to show our talent and our quality on one of the best stages," said Benzing, who averaged 4.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in the country's last World Cup appearance in Turkey in 2010.

The 29-year-old has played in all four European Qualifiers windows thus far. While he did miss the game in Estonia last month, he can fully attest to the team's development over the course of the campaign.

"We develop every window, better and better. The best thing is our chemistry. No matter who was in the team - NBA players, EuroLeague, second division players - we never had problems finding ourselves quickly and played really well together. We always have a harmonious group and everybody wants to play and fight for each other and for Germany," said the 6ft 10in (2.09m) forward, who has averaged 17.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the Qualifiers.

"IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TRY AND SHOW THE NATIONAL TEAM TO ALL OF GERMANY. THE MORE CITIES WE VISIT, THE MORE PEOPLE GET INTERESTED IN BASKETBALL, AND THAT'S THE GOAL."- Benzing

While Germany's path to the World Cup is already paved, the team can still improve its chances in the  competition as the higher a team finishes in the standings of the Qualifiers, the higher its seeding is for the draw. And Germany are deadlocked with Greece - who also booked their World Cup ticket with four games in hand - atop Group L at 8-0.

The two teams have yet to cross paths in the Qualifiers and will do so twice over the remainder of the Qualifiers, including on December 3 in Greece after Germany host Estonia on November 30.

As such, Benzing knows Germany's final four games of the Qualifiers are still crucial.

"It's very important to finish as high as possible in the group because of the draw for the World Cup. The better (our place in) the standings, the better the chances are of avoiding the big teams early. Though, honestly, there are only big teams at the World Cup," he reasoned. "This will be a huge game in Greece, but also a very tough one."

Germany must be careful to not look past Estonia, who are last in the group with a 2-6 record, including an 86-43 blowout loss at home against Germany in September. The Estonia game will be played in Ludwigsburg, which will be the fifth different city to host European Qualifiers following Chemnitz, Frankfurt, Braunschweig and Leipzig.

"It's very important to try and show the national team to all of Germany. The more cities we visit the more people get interested in basketball, and that’s the goal," Benzing said. "Basketball has to be close to the people, reachable and always present."

One thing is already certain, the basketball fans in Germany can count on watching Benzing and co. next summer at the World Cup 2019.

FIBA