EUROBASKET 2011

12,000 crazy Lithuanian fans and their 107-decibel deafening cheers? Bring them on, says Germany Head Coach Dirk Bauermann, that's the kind of atmosphere big athletes thrive in

GROUP E - SUNDAY AT 21:00 (20:00 CET)

Lithuania go into their last Group E game against Germany knowing a win will clinch a spot in the Quarter-Finals.

On the evidence of their first two games in Vilnius, a triumph over Serbia and defeat to France, anything can happen.

Lithuania hardly put a foot wrong against Serbia, hitting Dusan Ivkovic's team with a barrage of three-pointers.

There was also the emergence of young center Jonas Valanciunas, who had 18 points after being set up repeatedly by veteran playmaker Sarunas Jasikevicius.

Against France, however, the three-pointers didn't fall, at least in the first half, and in the end, Kestutis Kemzura's team walked off the court in disappointment.

Should Lithuania fall and end up in a three-way tie, a tie-breaker will be needed to determine their final standing and whether they advance or not.

Germany kept their hopes of a Quarter-Final place alive with an upset of Turkey on Friday.

While Dirk Nowitzki poured in 19 points and Chris Kaman had 20, it was the fourth-quarter scoring burst from Philipp Schwethelm that made the most timely impact.

Schwethelm, a small forward, made three shots from long range in the final period.

The best-case scenario for Germany is that Turkey defeat Serbia earlier in the day and they upset Lithuania.

That would seal their place in the last eight.

Should Germany win and Serbia prevail over Turkey, the Germans would need a victory of 11 points or more to finish in the top four and advance.

Germany coach Dirk Bauermann says his players should not be quaking in their boots.

"We are just totally looking forward to it," Bauermann said.

"To play in front of 12,000 fans that support our rivals, that is what you play for as an athlete.

"That atmosphere is a great challenge, I cannot tell you how much we are looking forward to playing Sunday's game."

Head-to-Head: Germany have yet to beat Lithuania in any competition. The two sides have faced each other four times at EuroBaskets, the last four years ago in Madrid with the Germans falling, 84-80.

Last Time Out: Germany edged Turkey 73-67 while Lithuania lost 73-67 to France.

Key Match-Up: Lithuania's Mantas Kalnietis v Steffen Hamann of Germany in a battle of the point guards.

Key Stat: Germany had just 10 turnovers against Turkey while Lithuania finished with 16 against France.

X-Factor: With defenses continuing to focus on Dirk Nowitzki, Germany must get a big game out of center Chris Kaman.

Sounding Off: "We are not going to leave the tournament on Sunday night. We are going to win," says Lithuania coach Kestutis Kemzura