The Good Germans

Italy held Dirk Nowitzki in check but couldn't have expected Johannes Herber to score 10 of his 15 points in the third quarter and lead Germany to a 67-58 victory as the 2005 silver medallists advanced to the 2007 EuroBasket quarter-finals.

Nowitzki had just 15 points - well under his average of 26 points - and 10 rebounds, but Germany received plenty of support from their bench players, who tallied 29 points.

Jan Jagla came on to collect five points and 10 rebounds while Steffen Hamann had 10 points.

"We needed this win, we all played together. Sometimes things go your way when you work hard, you get your reward. I feel today I got my reward for the hard work I put in," said Herber, who had tallied 16 points in his first five games. "I made a few shots which helped my confidence and the team's confidence."

With the victory, Germany reached the quarter-finals for the fourth time in the last five EuroBasket competitions. It also kept alive Nowitzki's dream of playing in the 2008 Olympics.

He has continually said he would retire from the national team should Germany not reach the Beijing Games next summer.

The 2003 bronze medallists Italy, who were out-rebounded 52-31 and held to just 32% shooting (18-of-56), leave Madrid with their heads down.

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source : eurobasket2007.org