GER/ITA - Nowitzki & Co beat Italy late

SIAULIAI (EuroBasket 2011) - Siauliai has been the venue for some highly-charged, emotional Group B games at the EuroBasket the first couple of days.

The intensity of both Germany and Italy was sure something to behold on Thursday night when the former beat the latter 76-62.

The game was crucial because with three games to go in the group, Germany, France and Serbia are 2-0 and Italy, Israel and Latvia are 0-2.

Only the top three sides from each pool advance to the next phase.

Italy have been waiting for Danilo Gallinari play for the national team since 2007 and now that he's in the squad, everyone knows why.

Gallinari looked equal to the task going up against Germany's Dirk Nowitzki in an enthralling first half.

The Germans, ultimately, were more patient on offense and willing to make the extra pass to get good, open looks and they nailed them to improve to 2-0 while Italy fell to 0-2.

"I thought it was a big fight and both teams really gave it their all," Germany guard Heiko Schaffartzik said.

"I thought it was a really nice atmosphere in the gym ... and also I thought there was some hostility in the game, which I enjoyed myself."

Germany went in front to stay with just under six minutes to play when a wide-open Robin Benzing buried a three-ball for a 56-53 advantage.

Marco Belinelli drove in from the left and dunked for Italy, but Nowitzki stretched the lead back to three with a jumper.

After Stefano Mancinelli rushed up a three-pointer and missed, Germany again found Benzing only this time, he put the ball on the floor and drove along the left baseline before making a lay-up for a 60-55 advantage.

Twice Gallinari pulled the Italians within two, hitting a three-pointer to make it 60-58 and then sinking two free-throws to cut the gap to 62-60 with 2:33 to go.

Chris Kaman, who endured a nightmare night for the first three quarters offensively, finally found success with a basket down low before Johannes Herber followed a Gallinari miss with a three-pointer to increase the lead to 67-60 with 1:36 to go.

Germany pulled away, getting a Philipp Schwethelm three-ball at the buzzer for the 14-point win.

"The national team of Italy, they gave us fits all night," Germany coach Dirk Bauermann said.

"They pressured, they were very disruptive, they made it very difficult for us to do what we do.

"Give them credit.

"At the end of the day, I just thought that we made the big shots."

Benzing and Herber were a combined four of six from three-point range and Germany hit seven of 12 as a team.

"Robin Benzing hit two important baskets, Jo a really big three and Dirk and Chris always find ways to score at the end of the game," Bauermann said.

"I thought that both teams played great and we just made the big shots at the end and sometimes that what you have to do."

Kaman finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Nowitzki led Germany with 21 points and 12 boards.

The two sides that reach the Final of the EuroBasket advance to the London Games.

The teams that come in third, fourth, fifth and sixth will be invited to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

FIBA