Dirk Nowitzki has admitted his lack of form ahead of the FIBA World Championship is "very frustrating" but is hopeful his side can put in a good showing when the tournament begins.

The forward who won FIBA Europe's Player of the Year after his inspirational performances led Germany to the silver medal at last year's EuroBasket has yet to find his rhythm with the national side this summer as they prepare for Japan.

In a series against Canada, Nowitzki looked jaded and scored just eight points in the first encounter and 15 in the second.

		“	For me it is very frustrating to play at a level which I am not used to	„
		Dirk Nowitzki

He also failed to hit top gear in the Supercup in Berlin at the weekend, scoring 12 points in Germany´s victory over Turkey before being restricted to 11 in the 80-75 final defeat to Italy.

"For me it is very frustrating to play at a level which I am not used to," he said.

"The first two games were the worst. It´s strange not to be in a rhythm. I played the whole NBA season at a very high level and then I did not do anything for three  weeks. It´s like starting from zero again but I am confident I can hit form in Japan."

Nowitzki's team-mates have also struggled but he is not worried after a similar build-up to last year's EuroBasket in Belgrade.

"Last year our preparation was not good at all," he said.

"We lost a lot of matches. But it made us better and was very good for chemistry on the team - I hope it will be the same this time and that it helps us grow together.

"We´re still lacking a few things offensively and defensively, but that is quite normal. It would not happen had we been together for a longer period of time.

"You need to be ambitious and it would be great if we could win a medal like four years ago when we finished third. Our goals have always been high. It's not going as smoothly as we´d like to right now but there is still enough time left until the tournament starts."