Despite losing to Spain yesterday, Germany’s NBA superstar, Dirk Nowitzki is still hopeful that his side can qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Germany is now rock bottom of Group E after yesterday’s defeat in Vilnius. They now must win their remaining two games to have any chance of qualification to the final round in Kaunas.
“We felt like we still had a chance,” Nowitzki commented after the loss to the favourites Spain. “We were right there competing with one of the best teams here, so it’s frustrating the way we ended it.”
The reigning NBA Finals MVP admitted that it was missed defensive assignments that cost them the game, especially in the fourth quarter where Germany fell apart. Nowitzki was held to just two points from three shots in the entire final period.
The Olympic dream is still very much alive, and the Wurzburg native wants the younger generation of German internationals to experience the thrill of representing your country at the Olympic Games.
“The good thing for me was I was able to reach [the Olympics] in Beijing, but some of these guys, we got eight or nine young guys that haven’t been there, so I would love to help ” Nowitzki said.
“We got to win two games, so we go to the next one and its do-or-die.”
Germany play Turkey tomorrow, Turkey themselves will be looking to bounce back, following a narrow 68-64 defeat to France yesterday.
