Germany Deny Azerbaijan Spot At EuroBasket

Forward Robin Benzing ws one of three Germany players to finish with 11 points and he added five rebounds and six assists

EuroBasket hopefuls Azerbaijan played their hearts out at Group B winners Germany on Tuesday but lost on the last night of the Qualification Round and failed to advance to next year's big event in Slovenia.

The Germans remained unbeaten with a 81-68 victory, and paved the way for Sweden to advance to the Final Round by condemning Azerbaijan to their fourth defeat.

Sweden and Bulgaria also finished 4-4, but the Swedes clinched second place on their better goal differential in the games between the three teams.

Blown out by Germany in the first meeting on home soil, Azerbaijan travelled to Oldenburg and more than held their own in the second meeting.

Germany only led 63-60 with 6:30 minutes remaining.

Co-captain Jan Jagla scored on a fast break after receiving a pass from Robin Benzing and then Lucca Staiger buried a three-ball.

The Germans' other co-captain, Heiko Schaffartzik, followed with a pair of free-throws for a 70-60 Germany advantage midway through the fourth quarter.

Azerbaijan didn't recover.

After the visitors' Charles Davis made two free-throws to take his points haul to 25, Germany reeled off six unanswered points for a 76-62 lead just 3:16 from the end and they eased to victory.

Germany launched 28 three-pointers an made 13 for a solid 46.4 percent, with Philipp Schwethelm and Benzing each nailing three shots from the arc.

The hosts also had 21 assists to just seven for Azerbaijan.

By winning all of their games, Germany have helped their ranking for the 24-team EuroBasket.

Quotes Germany vs. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan head coach Elkhan Aliyev
"We came here to win this game. But Germany was too strong in the end. It is very difficult to beat them at home. We had our opportunity to win today but we missed too many shots. I wish the German team good luck at next year´s EuroBasket."

Germany head coach Svetislav Pesic
"This was a tough match today, especially mentally. It was hard to coach for me because some other teams were depending on our result. We showed not great basketball but we won all eight games. So one can be content for the moment. But there is still a lot of work to do for us, especially in defense."

Azerbaijan player Charles Davis
"We played against the best team in our group today. Our rotation during this qualification was a little bit short. After eight games we were very tired but we gave everything we had today. I'm proud of my team and will go on playing for Azerbaijan."

Germany player Philipp Schwethelm
"For me it was very important to get out of this qualification with a good match. It was a good finish today against a very strong team from Azerbaijan. We reached both of our goals, to qualify and to develop the players. Everybody will go to his club now with a good feeling."