Germany booked the last remaining place for Eurobasket Women in Poland, with a 67-56 victory over Hungary in the second leg of the additional qualifying round final.
Germany also recorded a 59-53 victory at home in the first-leg, to win 126-109 on aggregate.
Coach Bastian Wernthaler admitted before the mini-tournament that this would be a challenge for his side, ranked 42 in the world. But his group of women stood tall, and ended up being the last team standing.
Germany captain Dorothea Richter had 13 points, four assists and six rebounds and 21-year-old power forward Svenja Greunke finished with a team-high 14 points. Kata Honti hit 10 points for Hungary, following her return from a calf injury.
In front of a passionate home following in Sopron, Hungary gave Germany an early warning, and even took a two-point lead on aggregate when a Zsofia Fegyverneky jumper put them on top early, 15-7.
Germany came right back with Richter nailing two free-throws, Greunke splitting a pair at the line and Sarah Austmann adding a basket in a 5-0 run.
In the second quarter, Hungary, roared on by the home crowd, went in from 24-15 when Diana Fürész received a pass from Anna Vajda and the latter made no mistake from beyond the arc.
That was as good as it got for the hosts.
Still on top 25-17, Hungary lost their focus, and Germany took full advantage. Romy Bar hit a three-ball to begin a game-changing 10-0 run that was capped by a Richter three-point play.
The Hungarians took a brief lead at the beginning of the third quarter but Germany were not to be denied of their moment. Leading 49-40 at the end of the third – a 15-point stranglehold on aggregate – and ended up winning the second leg convincingly.
Germany will be placed in Group C, alongside one of the favourites Spain, hosts Poland and Montenegro. Their first game will be against Spain in Katowice. Spain are ranked number five in the FIBA world rankings.
