When Germany missed out on the EuroBasket Women in Latvia, it was a huge disappointment for a country that had been looking to build on a solid performance two years earlier in Italy.

Though they didn't advance to the Quarter-Finals in Chieti in 2007, they did upset the defending champions Czech Republic in the Qualifying Round, a result that filled the players, coaching staff and fans with confidence and hope for the future.

What Germany coach Imre Szittya did not bank on, however, was the absence of Linda Fröhlich and Martina Weber for the entire EuroBasket 2009 qualifying campaign.

The veterans had averaged a combined 27 points and 13.5 rebounds in Italy but did not participate in the ensuing Division A tournament.

Germany still wanted Fröhlich for the Additional Qualifying Round games against Ukraine and Bulgaria but she didn't play.

The national team ended up officially parting ways with her.

Also missing an injured Anne Breitreiner, a player who averaged nearly 17 points per game in the Division A games, Germany took a young team to Ukraine for their first Additional Qualifying Round game and were destroyed on January 7 last year, 73-47.

The result ultimately prevented them from reaching the EuroBasket Women.

There are always positives to come out of tournaments, even the disappointing ones.

One was the emergence of Romy Bär. The 1.87m small forward, who is now 22 years of age, averaged 14 points, five rebounds and two assists per game.

Germany recently discovered they will go up against Great Britain, Slovakia and Ukraine in qualifying Group D for the EuroBasket Women in Poland next year.

"Being in a group of four teams will make a better preparation possible (Groups A and C have five teams)," Szittya said.

"We know Ukraine and Great Britain very well from the games in the past years. Especially against Ukraine, we have something to make up for.

"GB have signed a great coach in (Australian) Tom Maher and will try to bring the best possible team to prepare for the Olympic games.

"Slovakia have a dominant playmaker in (Frisco Sika Brno's) Zuzana Zirkova, but they could be beatable for us.

"The most important thing to do know is to get together our best possible team."

Germany's first game will be against Ukraine on August 14.