Dirk Nowitzki has the feel-good factor as Germany get ready to swing into action at the EuroBasket 2007.

Nowitzki led Germany in scoring with 14 points in Wednesday's 77-61 defeat against Spain in Valencia in a preparation game.

With 10 days to go before the tournament starts, the German forward is supremely confident that he and his team-mates will find their stride at the right time.

"I felt good against Spain," Nowitzki told PA Sport. "I think these warm-up games are important to get my rhythm back. 

"We have four or five games left before the European Championship and all of them will be good for me to get ready."
 
Much of Germany's hope lies on the Dallas Mavericks forward, who will go into the tournament with plenty of inspiration after becoming the first Europe-born player in NBA history to receive the league's Most Valuable Player award.

		“	We have four or five games left before the European Championship and all of them will be good for me to get ready	„
		Germany forward Dirk Nowitzki

Nowitzki led his national team to a silver medal two years ago in Belgrade, where he was voted the most valuable player of the tournament.

Although the limelight will be placed on the 29-year-old,Nowitzki is the first to point out that Germany is not a one-player team.

"We have a good team," he said. "We already showed it two years ago when we won the silver medal in Belgrade."

Whether Nowitzki and Germany will be able to duplicate their 2005 heroics next month remains to be seen.

However, one thing is certain, Dirk Bauermann's side will not go down easily.

"I think (world champions) Spain, because they are the host nation, and (defending champions) Greece are the two favourites to win the tournament," admitted Nowitzki.

"But other than that everything is open and we will see what we can come up with."

Germany still have some issues to work on before their tournament debut against Czech Republic on September 3 in Palma.

With warm-up games against Portugal, Russia and Italy coming up at the Bamberg Tournament before they meet Spain again later this month, Nowitzki believes his team will be more than ready.

"We just have to play better together," said Nowitzki. "I think we broke down a little bit defensively against Spain in the fourth quarter.

"We will have to stay strong defensively over a longer period of time and we will be all right."