EuroBasket 2015 Preview - Group B

BERLIN (EuroBasket 2015) - EuroBasket2015.org previews each of the four groups on the eve of the biggest basketball event on the continent this year. 

Here's a look at Group B.

GERMANY
Preparation Period: Germany figured out early on that they would not be able to count on Maximilian Kleber, Per Gunther, Daniel Theis or Elias Harris, but then Maik Zirbes also got injured late in the summer, just as he was putting in solid displays in warm-up games. They picked up eight wins in preparations but often struggled to find an offensive rhythm, going through long dry spells in their losses to France and Croatia.

Star Player: Whether Dirk Nowitzki can carry Germany out of Group B is no longer a pertinent question, because this German team is not as dependant on him as, for example, the 2005 or 2007 sides were. But he can certainly bring thousands of German fans to Berlin Arena - not to mention attract several million TV viewers around Germany and Europe - when he takes to the court on Saturday for his much-awaited return. No amount of promotion or marketing could buy Germany the fans' support that his mere presence gives them.

Strengths and Weaknesses: The Dennis Schroder and Heiko Schaffartzik backcourt combo possibly holds the key for Germany. If they manage to create as well as they can finish, Germany will execute well on offence and find pace. Roster depth and the contribution of the second unit could be another make-or-break aspect for the hosts.

ICELAND
Preparation Period: The Nordic side played less friendlies than most teams, eight, picking up a win over Group C participants Netherlands as well as over the Philippines and Lebanon. They sustained heavy losses however to Belgium and Poland.

Star Player: Jon Stefansson is the only truly widely known Icelandic player outside the island country and with good reason. The 33-year-old solid shooter came close to debuting in the NBA a decade ago and since has earned a living by providing his solid services to a string of Italian and Spanish clubs.

Strengths and Weakness: Iceland's three-point shooting can be both their biggest strength and their biggest weakness, depending on whether the shots drop in or not. They feel comfortable in a fast-paced game but lack size against all teams in the group, despite the fact they have in their ranks the second-tallest player of the tournament in the 2.18m Ragnar Nathanaelsson.

ITALY
Preparation Period: A quite impressive run of victories in early warm-up games was interrupted abruptly when Italy threw away a 27-point third-quarter lead and lost their friendly to Ukraine. They then lost to Slovenia as well and scraped past Georgia and Russia. But perhaps the most important aspect of their preparations is that, this time around, they reach the tournament in perfect health.

Star Player: Danilo Gallinari turned 27 this August and because of his injury record he has stepped out in only one EuroBasket in his career so far. Expectations are high but he now has recovered the fitness level to match his talents and he can deliver on them.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Strength - Italy is a star-studded team and conventional wisdom says stars wins games. Weakness - Italy is a star-studded team and they need to strike a balance. If they manage to stretch the floor and move the ball around their phenomenal wingers, they can defeat any team. Against dominant centers however, they will probably suffer.

SERBIA
Preparation Period: With the exception of a single defeat to France, Serbia's record in summer friendlies was perfect, injecting a strong dose of optimism. Milos Teodosic missed a few days at the beginning of training camp and Bogdan Bogdanovic towards the end, but they both arrive in good health in Berlin.

Star Player: It would not come as a surprise if Nemanja Bjelica emerges as the new go-to player for Serbia during this EuroBasket, but until then Milos Teodosic is the leader of this team. Crucially, he will have more support in the backcourt than he did in his superb FIBA Basketball World Cup campaign last year, as combo guard Nemanja Nedovic is back on the national team.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Teodosic can create for his team-mates and himself and very few power forwards can defend Bjelica effectively, because of his unique skill-set. There are question marks as to their defensive capability and as to the degree to which they will miss their former captain, Nenad Krstic, under the basket.

SPAIN
Preparation Period: Spain stayed at home throughout August and played seven friendlies, clinching as many victories in front of their fans. They didn't go up against any medal contenders, but they looked like a well-oiled machine for most of the time. The only bad news came when Alex Abrines was forced to pull out of the EuroBasket due to injury.

Star Player: Pau Gasol is back at EuroBasket and that makes a world of difference. Sceptics keep repeating that he also played in the World Cup last summer yet Spain still fell in the Quarter-Finals, but in actual fact Gasol was in sublime individual form throughout the tournament, so much so that he was included in the All-Star Five despite Spain's campaign being cut short.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Spain's absences this summer have been well-documented as it is impossible to ignore that Juan Carlos Navarro, Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon are not around. Still, their starting five is enviable by any standards and players look extremely comfortable with the return of Sergio Scariolo at the helm. The doubt is whether they have enough depth, especially in positions from 3 to 5.

TURKEY
Preparation Period: Turkey seemed to be taking two steps forward and one step back during August, as they defeated the likes of Lithuania and Greece but also lost to Latvia and Poland. These uneven displays were partly due to destabilising injuries, with Dogus Balbay being the latest victim just three days prior to the start of the tournament.

Star Player: Ersan Ilyasova's role in this tournament is much more than being the best scorer in the frontcourt and taking the big shots, as he is also being called upon to lead Turkey's several youngsters by example. Turkey's success depends largely on him achieving consistency throughout the tournament.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Turkey will field one of the most youthful rosters in the tournament and, as always, that can be a double-edged sword. They are a bit thin at the point guard spot but then they have several players who can help out at that position. Also, despite the significant absence of Omer Asik, they still have big bodies under the basket and three centers who can secure the rebounds against any opponent.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

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