Nowitzki headlines Germany roster for EuroBasket 2015

MUNICH (EuroBasket 2015) - The eagerly-anticipated return of Dirk Nowitzki to the national team for EuroBasket 2015 has been officially ratified as the 37-year-old legend headlines the 12-man squad that Germany announced on Monday.

Nowitzki, who had led Germany to a second-place finish at EuroBasket 2005, last suited up for Germany in a major tournament at EuroBasket 2011.

He retired from international duty following the event in Lithuania, as the German team failed to qualify for the London Games.

The Dallas Mavericks forward however confirmed in early June that the prospect of playing a EuroBasket in front of the home crowd in Berlin was so tantalising that he decided to make the big return that German fans dreamt of during these four years.

Nowitzki will try to lead Germany to a top-four finish in Group B in order to qualify to the Round of 16 in Lille, with a Quarter-Final berth and eventually a ticket to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) remaining the main aim of both the legendary forward and the German national team.

Dennis Schroder, who is coming off a breakout season with the Atlanta Hawks will play an important role on this German team, alongside Nowitzki.

The 22-year-old point guard earned a spot on the senior national team's starting line-up in last summer's EuroBasket 2015 2nd Qualification Round and led Germany in scoring during their warm-up games in August.

Another guard, national team captain Heiko Schaffartzik, as well as small forward Robin Benzing and center Tibor Pleiss are to step out in their fourth consecutive EuroBasket tournament after debuting in the 2009 edition of the tournament in Poland.

The veteran trio, together with Nowitzki and Schroder, is likely to form Germany's starting five during their EuroBasket 2015 campaign.

Fraport Skyliners big man Johannes Voigtmann, 21-year-old forward Paul Zipser and 22-year-old guard Maodo Lo have also been included in the final roster and are poised to make their maiden EuroBasket appearance in Berlin.

Germany head coach Chris Fleming had to make one last cut on Monday and he opted for Karsten Tadda rather than Akeem Vargas for the final backcourt spot in his EuroBasket squad.

"This is the point where you would actually prefer a 13-strong squad," Fleming said.

"It was a very difficult decision, only very small differences finally tipped the balance.

"I appreciate Akeem very much, he is a player with a model attitude.

"But ultimately, I had to make a final decision, even though it is still so uncomfortable."

It is worth reminding that all 24 participating nations present their definitive 12-man roster to FIBA Europe on the eve of the tournament, Friday 4 September, and no changes are possible after that point.

Germany final roster for EuroBasket 2015: Robin Benzing, Anton Gavel, Niels Giffey, Alex King, Maodo Lo, Dirk Nowitzki, Tibor Pleiss, Heiko Schaffartzik, Dennis Schroder, Karsten Tadda, Johannes Voigtmann, Paul Zipser.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for complete coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA