EUROBASKET QUALIFIERS

Heiko Schaffartzik contributed 16 points as Germany clinched their sixth win in a row

Germany joined the EuroBasket Final Round party after beating Bulgaria on Wednesday night.

Svetislav Pesic's team prevailed 79-69 to stay unbeaten in the Qualification Round.

Tibor Pleiß had one of his finest performances in a Germany shirt, pouring in 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

Heiko Schaffartzik also had 16 points as the Germans swept Bulgaria in their two meetings.

The visitors did mount a stirring comeback to test the Germans' resolve.

Down 67-55 early in the fourth quarter, the Bulgarians knotted the contest at 67-67 on a three-pointer from Ivan Lilov.

Pleiß and Karsten Tadda answered with baskets for the hosts.

After Chavdar Kostov reduced the arrears to two again for Bulgaria, Schaffartzik replied with one of his two three-pointers for Germany.

The hosts pulled away for a comfortable win over the last three minutes.

Bulgaria fell to 3-4 with the defeat.