By Simon Wilkinson, PA Sport

German backcourt duo Pascal Roller and Denis Wucherer go into next month's EuroBasket 2005 hoping not only to help their country win the event for the first time since 1992, but also to prove that they belong in the national team for good.

The guard play is deemed to be a strength for several teams, with France boasting Tony Parker, Spain showcasing Jose Manuel Calderon, Slovenia putting forth Sani Becirovic and Greece featuring Theodoros Papaloukas.

But the backcourt is a clear weakness for Germany, especially with Nino Garris (foot) and Mithat Demirel (knee) slowed by injuries.

Wucherer, 32, who played for Bayer Giants Leverkusen before joining Italian side Benetton Treviso in April last season, has not taken part in the European Championships since the late 1990s.

A toe injury did prevent him from logging significant minutes with Benetton, however.

Roller, a 28-year-old point guard, is making his debut in the competition.

He did not fare well against Greece on Sunday in the Supercup, a game Germany lost 66-57.

The presence of Dirk Nowitzki in the side does make Germany dangerous, however, and possible medal winners.

"We set ourselves some goals. One of them is to come back with a medal.

"I believe we can achieve that if we get off to a good start. The most important game at the moment is our opener against Italy."

Wucherer believes it is too early to talk about medals because the competition is so wide open.

"European basketball has come a long way in recent years," he said.

"It seems to be so close together that about 10 teams can win a medal in Belgrade. Unfortunately, some teams will go home with nothing. I hope we won't be one of them."

With a knee injury sidelining regular starting point guard Steffen Hamann, Roller is likely to take his place in Germany's starting five.

He averaged 15 points and four assists per game for Frankfurt Skyliners last season, who finished runners-up to Bamberg in the Bundesliga play-offs.

Wucherer, who could be one of Germany's most important players along with Dirk Nowitzki and Ademola Okulaja, is not taking anything for granted where selection is concerned.

"There is no question we are all fighting for our place in the team," he said.

"But it is a fair fight because there are at least 16 players who can contend for a place on the team for next month's competition. Unfortunately only 12 can go to Serbia."

Germany are in EuroBasket Group A with Russia, Italy and Ukraine.