GER/PUR – German confidence soars after two wins over Puerto Rico

BONN (2010 FIBA World Championship) - With their FIBA World Championship campaign tipping off in less than a week in Kayseri, Turkey, Germany suddenly look like a very dangerous team.

In two warm-up games against Puerto Rico over the weekend, Germany prevailed 73-63 in Halle and 97-74 in Bonn.

Group A beware!

Even without the veteran presence of Dirk Nowitzki for a second straight summer, Germany look as if they will be a very tough team for every opponent. They will go up against Argentina, Serbia, Australia, Angola and Jordan in Group A.

Germany coach Dirk Bauermann hailed the development of his team this summer after the second win over Puerto Rico.

"Many good steps are visible,” he said.

“But at the World Championship, we will underestimate no one and it will be interesting to see how we sell ourselves there.

"I maintain that (an appearance) in the second round would be a great success."

In the opening game against Puerto Rico, Bauermann's side trailed 40-30 at half-time but won convincingly as they outscored the Puerto Ricans 22-9 over the last 10 minutes of the contest.

Jan-Hendrik Jagla led the way with 25 points for Germany while impressive youngster Elias Harris had 13.

"It is very gratifying and shows the good character that we have that's been achieved today," Bauermann said.

"We have a new found aggression and an attacking way of playing with which I am very satisfied.

"Puerto Rico is a very strong team...

"What was particularly pleasing to me was that there were so many kids in the hall, which shows the great potential of basketball in Germany."

The German players know they have roles on the court that have to be filled with precision if they are to find success in Turkey.

Harris, who is coming off an outstanding freshman season at Gonzaga in American college basketball, said: "I see myself as an energizer off the bench and I'm getting on well with the role."

Sunday's triumph in Bonn was far more convincing.

In that game, the Germans asserted themselves in the middle two quarters.

After trailing at the end of the opening frame, 22-21, Bauermann's team went to half-time with a 51-40 lead and pressed home the advantage in the third period by outscoring Puerto Rico 27-13.

The opening clash in Turkey will be against Argentina, the number one side in the FIBA World Rankings, on August 28.

Tim Ohlbrecht, one of the many impressive youngsters in the German set-up, said: "We are prepared for the World Championship and it's really, really fun.

"The chemistry is right. I can hardly wait for the game against Argentina."

FIBA

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