Germany's Zipser: ''I love to represent my country and I want to help Germany do great things''

CHICAGO (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Paul Zipser is hoping to play for Germany in the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers and intends on helping the country achieve great things in years to come.

Zipser last wore the German jersey during the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers in August 2016 but is eyeing a return to the national side for their Group G Qualifiers games at home against Austria on June 29 and in Serbia on July 2.

"I'm planning on playing with the national team this summer and I'm looking forward to wearing Germany's jersey again. I miss playing for the national team so I'm looking forward to playing this summer," said Zipser, who did not play at the last year's EuroBasket after averaging 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in the qualification campaign.

"(PLAYING FOR YOUR COUNTRY) IS A SPECIAL FEELING, VERY DEEP AND NOTHING YOU CAN COMPARE TO PLAYING WITH YOUR CLUB OR NBA TEAM" ZipserZipser

Wearing his national team colors means a lot to the 6ft 8in (2.03m) guard/forward, who made his senior national team debut at EuroBasket 2015.

As a 21-year-old, he contributed 5.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 26.6 minutes per game as Germany co-hosted that year's edition of Europe's biggest competition.

It gave Zipser a chance to play in front of his home fans, something he still cherishes very much.

"It's probably one of the best feelings, one of the best things to do when you're an athlete. Representing your country, playing in front of your fellow compatriots, having the crowd pushing and supporting you is so great. You feel like you play with another force, with an additional passion and that gives you more energy to win," he said. 

"The home factor is very important. It can make you win games and make a difference in a long campaign like the Qualifiers."

"REPRESENTING YOUR COUNTRY, PLAYING IN FRONT OF YOUR FELLOW COMPATRIOTS, HAVING THE CROWD PUSHING AND SUPPORTING YOU IS SO GREAT. YOU FEEL LIKE YOU PLAY WITH ANOTHER FORCE, WITH AN ADDITIONAL PASSION AND THAT GIVES YOU MORE ENERGY TO WIN" ZipserZipser

Even though he didn't play in the first two windows, the 24-year-old - who just concluded his second season with the NBA's Chicago Bulls - has been watching the German team and how they marched to a 4-0 record in Group G.

"I think they have been doing very well so far, by winning every game but also by playing at a very good level," he said. "Most of the guys don't have that much experience at the international level. For them to get adjusted and be competitive that quick at this level is a very good sign."

The performance put on by Henrik Rodl's team through the first two windows has not surprised Zipser.

"I know the guys and how talented they are. I also know what they would be capable of and by this I mean that they can play at this high level," he added. "I heard a lot of people talking about the team and how hard it would be to finish in the top spot of the group, but the results speak for themselves now."

The Heidelberg native believes Germany are moving in the right direction and is excited to be part of the future.

"I love to represent my country and I want to help Germany do great things in the years to come at the international level," he went on.

"It's a special feeling, very deep and nothing you can compare to playing with your club or NBA team. You play with a group of guys that wants to help the country shine at the highest level and we all push in the same direction," he said.

Zipser said the next goal is to finish the First Round of Qualifiers without a loss, something he knows will not be easy against Austria and at Serbia.

"Those are going to be two tough games," he warned. "Austria played well in the last game against Serbia but fell short (an 82-81 loss), and it's a rivalry against us so it is going to be an intense game."

And about the Serbia game, Zipser said: "We will have to go to Serbia and try to win there, knowing they probably want to beat us after losing in Germany earlier in the campaign."

"Those two games are going to be great tests for us. We have to win those games, and wrap up this round with only wins. That is our first goal, and we are going to play at our highest level to reach it."

And Zipser is excited at the thought of being on hand again to play.

FIBA