HAGEN (Germany) - German basketball's leaders reacted with satisfaction to the draw of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 but admitted they are nervous about a possible crossover group in the Second Round.

Germany were drawn into Group G of the August 31-September 15 global spectacle along with Dominican Republic, France and Jordan. The top two teams then advance to the Second Round, where Germany would then be matched up with two teams from the tough Group H, which includes Canada, Senegal,  Lithuania and Australia.

"WE ALMOST LANDED IN THE USA GROUP. BUT THE 'DRAW FAIRY' WAS ON OUR SIDE. THE GROUP IS OKAY, WE CAN LIVE WITH IT. OF COURSE THE CROSSOVER GROUP IS EXTREMELY STRONG, BUT NOW WE WANT TO LOOK AT OUR GROUP FIRST."- Germany captain Robin Benzing

"That was unbelievably exciting … Group A (Cote d'Ivoire, Poland, Venezuela and China) would certainly have been the dream draw, but this is okay," said Germany head coach Henrik Rodl after the draw. "Luckily we did not land in the USA group (Group E with Turkey, Czech Republic and Japan). But the crossover group is brutal."

For his part, the team's captain, Robin Benzing, looked to focus on the more positive side of things.

"Man, that was thrilling! We almost landed in the USA group. But the 'draw fairy' was on our side," he said. "The group is okay, we can live with it. Of course the crossover group is extremely strong, but now we want to look at our group first."

German Basketball Federation (DBB) President Ingo Weiss meanwhile stressed his belief in his team, saying: "I am very satisfied with the draw. Of course we didn’t get any easy opponents but I trust our title-hungry team and am convinced that we will be an uncomfortable opponent for all teams at this World Cup."

FIBA