Germany gains final slot in Olympic tournament - International Herald Tribune - 20/07/08

ATHENS: Germany won the final spot in the 12-team Olympic basketball tournament, getting 32 points from Dirk Nowitzki on Sunday in a 96-82 victory over Puerto Rico.

Croatia and Greece earned the other two men's berths at stake in this qualifier a day earlier.

José Barea, who plays with Nowitzki on the Dallas Mavericks, led Puerto Rico with 18 points.

Germany drew on its outside shooting to take a 48-39 halftime lead. Three consecutive 3-pointers within 46 seconds - two by Robert Garrett, one by Demond Greene - stretched the lead to 70-54 with 1:48 left in the third period. The Puerto Ricans came no closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Germany and Greece were placed in Group B for the Beijing tournament, which already included hosts China, the United States, Spain and Angola. Croatia was placed in Group A with Iran, Lithuania, Argentina, Russia and Australia.

The top four from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, with the winner in each group meeting the fourth-placed team in the other and the runner-up facing the third-place team

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