Germany Win To Make Sweden Wait

Robin Benzing sparked the German comeback in the last quarter to seal the seventh win in as many games

Germany scored the final five points to keep Sweden sweating on their EuroBasket place with a 91-86 win in Norrkoping.

Sweden led most of the way to endanger Germany's unbeaten record in Group B, and they were up 79-71 with 6:24 to go after a lay-up from Christian Maraker.

Robin Benzing then sparked the German fightback, completing a three-point play from the free-throw line, and then adding a three-pointer to make it 79-77.

Maik Zirbes tied it from the line and Benzing put Germany 81-79 up.

Kenny Grant snatched the lead back with a three-pointer and the teams traded blows, with Thomas Massamba's lay-up tying it 86-86 with 35 seconds left.

But Germany then made their decisive break, with Heiko Schaffartzik nailing a three-pointer and then, after Jonas Jerebko missed a three for Sweden, Benzing finished the job from the line.

Germany improve to 7-0, but Sweden still need to beat Luxembourg on Tuesday and hope Germany can do them a favour against Azerbaijan.

Schaffartzik led Germany with 21 points while Benzing added 19. Tibor Pleiß and Jan-Hendrik Jagla added 16 apiece.

Jerebko poured in 32 and grabbed 10 rebounds for Sweden, with Grant adding 21 and Maraker 14.

Quotes Sweden vs. Germany

Germany player Heiko Schaffartzik:
"Sweden played an excellent game, much better than they did in the first game against us. And it was not just Jonas Jerebko, who had an amazing game. Kenny Grant made six threes, Thomas Massamba played excellent, Christian Maraker was making shots. We really had to dig deep to win this game. But I'm proud that we did, we want to try and do something in Eurobasket 2013, so we look on this Qualification Round as a very good preparation."

Germany head coach Svetislav Pesic:
"Sweden are beginning to show some quality and make some arguments that they are a good team. The played well today, especially in the first half. But in the second half we got the ball inside and at the end they couldn't defend us in the low post. We had too much quality there, too much talent and too much height. But I want to congratulate my players, this was a good win on the road."

Sweden player Jonas Jerebko:
"We were up by eight points in both halves and we got there playing as a team, making good shots and rebounding really well. Unfortunately we were a bit careless with the ball when we were up and had some turnovers that were too simple. You can't have turnovers like that against a team like Germany. But we played well for the most part of the game, now we just have to get ready for the next game and win it."

Sweden head coach Brad Dean:
"We had some costly turnovers at a part in the game when we had a chance to break loose. Maybe we need more experience to be able to handle situations like this. But I think my players fought as hard as I can ask for. I'm disappointed with the result, but not with the way the players performed. We played tough and wanted to set the tone for the game, but in the second half we got a couple of fouls too many. Germany made almost all of their free throws, but I can' see us play in a different way. We are not as tall as they are, we have to play with intensity and be aggressive."