Foreign Coaches Make Themselves At Home

Latvia Win But Germany Through

Jan Jagla hit a three-pointer and two foul shots in the final 14 seconds as Germany staged a miracle comeback to advance to the EuroBasket 2009 Qualifying Round despite a 68-62 loss against Latvia.

Latvia led by 11 points with 22 seconds left which would have put them through from Group B. But Jagla sandwiched his heroics around two missed foul shots by Ernests Kalve with 13.2 seconds to play. And Armands Skele's three-pointer at the buzzer was off target, sending Latvia packing.

Last Chance Latvia

Germany and Latvia face off in the final Group B match of the EuroBasket 2009 with the final spot in the Qualifying Round still to be decided.

Germany can afford a loss by seven points and still advance to the next round but German coach Dirk Bauermann would much rather have his team finish off with a victory going into the next round.

France Book Place In Qualifying Round

Tony Parker once again took over the proceedings and carried France to a 60-51 victory over Latvia, scoring 21 of his 23 points after intermission in helping France overcome a 10-point third quarter deficit and book their spot in the Qualifying Round of EuroBasket 2009.

The other French starters combined for 15 points while Ali Traore came off the bench for 12 points for Vincent Collet's team, which held Latvia to just 33 percent shooting for the game and survived scoring just three points in the second quarter.