Dirk Nowitzki and Germany fell to Spain, 77-76, in the final day of group play at EuroBasket in Berlin. With the loss, Germany is eliminated from the competition.
Nowitzki scored 10 points on 3-of-6 shooting in the loss, adding 7 rebounds. Down seven points in the final minute, he hit a big three-pointer to bring Germany to within four points. With 3.8 seconds left in the game, German point guard Dennis Schroder went to the line for three free throws, his team down 77-74, but missed the final attempt.
The 37-year-old Nowitzki hinted earlier this summer that this tournament would likely be his final competition for the national team. As EuroBasket is an Olympic-qualifying event, Nowitzki’s goal was to help his country land a spot in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. However, with today’s loss, Germany won’t be able to qualify.
The crowd in Berlin knew this might be the case, and didn’t hesitate to show their appreciation for an emotional Big German and his contributions to the national team once the game was over.
Dirk Nowitzki in tears has the standing ovation of Berlin. Last game with NT https://t.co/Y7LhunPJ8o
— Sportando (@Sportando) September 10, 2015
DANKE DIRK! #GERmeinsam pic.twitter.com/oBAVHPXm3u
— Simon Linder (@SimonLinder) September 10, 2015
#DankeDirk! #GERmeinsam pic.twitter.com/iiB9ZoHM9M
— Jonathan Müller (@dersportmanager) September 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/HoopsTLT/status/642035694710464512
In addition to being the only European ever to win the NBA MVP award and Germany’s most recognizable basketball star in the nation’s history, Nowitzki also moved up to the No. 2 spot on the EuroBasket all-time scoring list yesterday in a game against Italy. His accomplishments speak for themselves, putting him among the greatest players to ever lace them up.
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