Despite Germany’s respectable performance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing things are not looking good for the German national team at this year’s FIBA Eurobasket. More specifically, the team underwent a major overhaul this year and has very few players from past tournaments still on the roster. France on the other hand is hoping to qualify for the FIBA World Championship 2010 with a squad including various NBA players. Thus, the French national team will take on Germany in their first round-robin game on Monday at 6:15 p.m. GMT.

More specifically, the German team will have to play without their NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman. Nowitzki who has been representing his native country for more than ten years was not given permission by the Dallas Mavericks to participate in FIBA games this summer. Given the fact that ‘Dirk’ single-handedly carried Germany to the 2008 Olympics and the 2006 World Cup it remains to be seen whether his team will still be able to compete at a high level without him. Last year, the multiple NBA All-Star and former MVP managed to put up 25.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per contest for the Dallas Mavericks. Moreover, the Germans will not be able to field their starting center Chris Kaman from the Los Angeles Clippers who is still recovering from a shoulder injury.

In contrast, the French squad will be at full strength and is expected to perform well with their centerpiece Tony Parker leading the team. In 2008-09, Parker averaged 22.0 points, 6.9 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 72 appearances for the San Antonio Spurs. Furthermore, France will have NBA players such as Ronny Turiaf, Boris Diaw, DeSgana Diop and Mickael Pietrus on board. Nonetheless, the French struggled in the Eurobasket qualifying round last week and dropped one game versus a rather mediocre Belgium squad.

Taking everything into consideration France appears to be everyone’s favorite in the opening game of Group B. However, if the Germans play up to their potential they might be able to stay within striking distance and put pressure on the French star ensemble.

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