GER - German delight at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament 2010

MANNHEIM (Albert Schweitzer Turnier / 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship) - The U18 Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim has been to the host's delight as the Germans have two shots at the medals tomorrow. Germany's U18 Team will play the finals against Australia that had an incredible shooting performance to beat Germany's U17 in the semis 75:53. In the second semi-final, Germany's U18 and the USA squad played a tremendous match in which the host finished strong sealing the 64:59 win.

Australia - Germany U17:

Australia and Germany's U17 sported a fair, intense, exciting and entertaining ball game for 40 minutes. Although the Aussies managed to take a commanding lead midway through third quarter Besnik Bekteshi (11pts) and Co. brought their best to the table. Anthony Drmic scored 17pts (4/4 threes) on his way to get his team set for the championship game.

If there is anything Australia did not face until now over the course of the tournament it has been strong opposing big men. The German U17 squad is packed with height, being able to protect the paint. Germany took advantage of that going into the semi-final clash, taking an early lead (8:11, 5.). A mere 2.400 Spectators at the packed US Sports Arena witnessed the underdog setting the tone. Coach Damian Cotter called for time late in the first stanza. Coming back it was up to the squad from Down Under to hit couple big points in a row to tie the score at 19 apiece (9.). It was up to the German young guns to score the last bucket of what had been an entertaining first period (19:21).

Australia had huge problems holding Germany off the boards. Bogdan Radosavljevic had five boards in eight minutes of game time in the first half, the whole the racked up eleven second chances. Aussie Igor Hadziomerovic hit a go-ahead three (27:23, 13.). Led by off-guard Besnik Bakteshi kept it a close one as Cotter's troop donning yellow uniforms tried to pull away. When Radosavljevic was called for a flagrant foul Germany lost its rhythm as Australia used the momentum to create some space (37:29, 20.).

It lasted nearly two and a half minutes until the first bucket of the second half was in the books. Anthony Drmic, who was banged around underneath the basket, stepped out on target for a long bomb (40:29, 23.). Although both teams missed on their following shots coach Frank Menz was clearly unhappy the way the game was developing – to Australia's favor – and called a timeout. Due to team penalty Anselm Hartmann took his chance at the charity with 4:35 to go in the third quarter and connected for one out of two score the first German point of the stanza (43:30). It should last 8:30 in that period to hit its first field goal of the second half, a scoop layer by Jakob Krumbeck in traffic (47:32). Australia closed the gate on a 7:0 run to extend the already high lead (54:32).

Trailing by as many as 27 (59:32, 32.) Germany never gave up although it was obvious Hartmann and Co. could not match their intensity sported during the first half – as far as the offensive game was concerned. Australia struggled as well, barely finding a way to convert inside the painted area or create open shots against an active co-host's zone defense. Midway through the fourth quarter the U17 youngsters realized they would never come back as their tanks ran out of fuel. Looking at the game as a whole Australia was a deserving winner, but Menz' troop fought its heart out – as they did for each day of the Albert Schweitzer Tournament (75:53).

Germany will host the FIBA U17 World Championship from 2nd to 11th July in Hamburg.


Germany U18 vs. USA:

Patrick Heckmann drove strong to the hole but could not convert with Philipp Neumann picking up the offensive rebound and was sent to the free throw line by the US. It was up to the German big man to score the first points of the game (2:0, 1.). After the US squad stroke back, Mike Chandler hammered one down in Neumann's grill – the crowd of 2.500 was on its feet (2:4, 2.). Starting guard Falko Theilig took manners in his own hand scoring five points in a row to give his team boost (10:4, 6.). As Chandler was not the only big man with hops, reserve forward Daniel Theis had one fine jam on his own along the baseline just seconds before the first stanza ended (17:10).

The United States' go-to-guy Ryan Boatright wanted to swat away the momentum driving the lane … but instead his layup attempt was swatted away by Theis, bumping the ball against the glass both-handed. A little later Boatright got his chance and knocked down a triple (20:15, 13.). When you need to strike back from deep, you go to Lars Wendt. The cocky guard out of Paderborn hit a trey and was fouled; he successfully converted for the four-point-play (24:17, 13.). Neumann, who had quiet start into the game, racked up four points in a row to give Germany a double digit lead (30:19, 16.). Martin Breunig and Mathis Mönninghoff missed on easy layups what opened the door for the U.S. to come back and cut the margin to a deuce until halftime (36:34).

With 90sec in the third quarter Boatright pulled up for a jumper to tie it at 36 apiece. Theis miss Breunig cleared the mess up with a putback slam that shook up the building (40:38, 23.). Teams ran up and down the court without a lead change. Theis picked up his fourth personal and was replaced by Philipp Neumann. The Bamberg standout blocked two of three following U.S. shot attempts (48:46, 30.).

Neither team got its rhythm going as Kevin Ware skied high for a dunk on Bill Borekambi, who accidently got a piece of Ware's hip. He hit the deck hard, laying down for a minute and was walked off the court. Boatright finally tied the game with two free throws before Farooq Mohammad connected from deep to give the U.S. a spark (48:51, 24.). Germany had hit the rim numerous times had yet to score in the fourth stanza. Out of nowhere Neumann hit a trey, Mönninghoff followed with another trey as America quickly called for time (54:51, 36.). Mönninghoff had a layer; curly-haired Theilig had his glance stealing an inbounds pass to convert on another scoop (59:53, 38.). Boatright countered little later on hitting a layup (59:57) with less than a minute to go. On the next possession Theilig was sent to the line once more. He hit both freebies to extend the lead to four (61:57). Who else but Boatright was on duty to tight things up with a floater in the lane against the whole German frontcourt (61:59), but it was not enough to turn things around. Patrick Heckmann hit two free throws with 20 seconds to go before Boatwright missed on a trey (63:59). It was Bill Borekambi who finalized the result from the charity stripe, securing Germany its first trip to an AST gold medal game.

Germany U18:Theilig (13), Blessing (6), Wendt (5), Mönninghoff (7), Bright (dnp), Heckmann (7), Borekambi (2), Reuter, Breunig (6), Theis (8), Neumann (11), Pluskota (dnp)

United States:Wadsack (2), Tuck (dnp), Mohammad (3), White (6), Leonard (10), Woolridge (3), Ware (4), Boatright (19), Henderson (5), Plumlee, Chandler (4), Manhertz (3)