MANNHEIM (Albert Schweitzer Turnier) - With Germany's third bronze medal at an Albert Schweitzer Tournament already in the books it was up to the co-host's U18 squad to make history - either way. Australia earned silver medal honors in 1998 and came in third in 2008. In the 2010 edition Australia got its win on the back of AST-MVP Mitchell Creek (20pts, 7reb, 4as, 3stl), beating Germany 68:51. Philipp Neumann, who made it to the All-Tournament Team, had 15pts and 13reb in a losing effort.

Germany started with a 6:0 run into the game. Mathis Mönninghoff had two barely uncontested layups that got the Leverkusen standout going. Australia found its way into the contest from deep as Hugh Greenwood and Jackson Aldridge connected from long range (6:6, 3.). Mönninghoff had another scoop in the lane, followed by big man Philipp Neumann pulling up for three (11:10, 7.). Australia finished strong with six points in a row, transporting the momentum over to the second quarter. (11:16, 10.).

Aussie forward Igor Hadziomerovic drilled his second triple of the game to go with another long jumper (12:21, 11.). Little later on fearless Aldridge drove past his man to go for an easy layup but was rudly denied by Neumann crushing the ball against the board. The team from Down Under switched to zone defense featuring a frequently sported trap. Germany took its time as the Aussies opened up their half of the field. Thanks to their patience and passing skills coach Kay Blümel's squad found a wide open Neumann underneath the basket who hammered it home. Patrick Heckmann, who missed on two layups earlier in the contest, finally connected on a runner to close the gap (23:24, 20.).

With a few minutes into the second half Hadziomerovic connected for his second trey. Neumann immediately answered on the other end rattling one in from deep as well. If that was not enough Greenwood found his shooting touch, knocking down an overall third three pointer within three consecutive possessions (30:36, 25.). Mönninghoff, who definitely had found his stroke again, pulled Germany within three (38:41, 29.), but Australia carried its lead to the fourth quarter (42:46, 30.).

Germany was on the verge of tying things up, but Mitchell Creek had other plans instead and scored five points in a hurry, almost extending the lead to double digits. Lars Wendt hit a rare triple of his own to close the gap (47:52, 34.). Team captain Hugh Greenwood went for back-to-back layups as Blümel called for time (47:57, 36.). Back on court the Australian squad shifted in higher gears to finally seal their first AST gold medal. German set up a trap defense, but Creek cracked it running down the lane for one fine reverse slam, that would have been a perfect ten on every high jumping event.