GER/HUN - Germans geared up to face Hungary

OBERHAUSEN (EuroBasket Women) - The doom and gloom around German women's basketball after last year's failed qualifying campaign for the EuroBasket Women is long gone.

Now there is a buoyant mood. Germany have resurrected their hopes of reaching the EuroBasket Women by winning three of four games in the Additional Qualifying Tournament.

By topping Group B, Bastian Wernthaler's team has moved to within touching distance of a place in this month's Final Round in Poland.

They must win a home-and-away tie against Hungary, the winners of Group A, to advance to the EuroBasket Women and join Spain, Montenegro and Poland in Group C.

Germany host the first encounter on Sunday in Oberhausen and play the second in Sopron, Hungary, three days later.

Perhaps no Germany player is as hungry as captain Dorothy Richter.

The 28-year-old point guard got a taste of the EuroBasket when the tournament was staged in Chieti four years ago and desperately wants to make it back to the Final Round.

"We have no pressure," she said.

"Hungary is a good team, but we are not afraid and we do not have to hide.

"Our team is very unpredictable and therefore difficult to work out."

The biggest surprise in the Additional Qualifying Tournament was not only Germany's victory over Group B hosts Italy, but the margin of the triumph.

They trashed the Italians in front of their own fans, 78-57, on June 5.

The victory was arguably the most important one for Germany since their upset of the defending champions Czech Republic at the EuroBasket Women 2007.

"The mood in the team is very good," Richter said.

"We hope for a real home game and want the fans behind us to help us get a good position."

The encounter in Oberhausen begins on Sunday at 6:30pm local time.

FIBA