GER - German U17 boys undo Turkey

MANNHEIM (Albert Schweitzer Turnier) - The German U17 boys have reached the semi-finals of the 25th Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim, Germany after beating Turkey 59-53.

Despite being without centre Tim Unterluggauer - who was out sick - the German youngsters got off to a great start against the big favourites from Turkey. The home side went up 11-8 on Julius Wolf's three pointer and, when he made a lay-up midway through the second quarter, the lead was 23-11, much to the delight of the 600 spectators.

The Turks used a 10-4 run to cut the deficit to 27-21 at half-time and were within three, 47-44, in the final quarter. But the Germans - with Wolf leading by example - kept them at bay by hitting timely baskets to pull away the win much to the delight of the 600 spectators.

Germany: Anselm Hartmann (TuS Jena, 7), Josip Peric (ALBA Berlin, 2), Malik Müller (SG Urspringschule, 2), Besnik Bekteshi (BSG Ludwigsburg, 5), Jakob Krumbeck (TuS Jena, 3), Fabian Bleck (Phoenix Hagen), Paul Albrecht (TuS Jena, 11), Julius Wolf (SG Urspringschule, 18), Stephan Haukohl (TuS Jena, 2), Jonathan Malu (SOBA Rhöndorf), and Bogdan Radosavljevic (without club, 9).

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