EUROBASKET 2011

Pau Gasol is back just on time to set up another legendary match-up with Dirk Nowitzki

GROUP E - WEDNESDAY AT 15:30 (14:30 CET)

Spain are set to welcome back Pau Gasol for Wednesday's Group E showdown against Germany.

A right ankle injury forced the Los Angeles Lakers power foward to miss Monday's defeat to Turkey - Spain's first loss at the EuroBasket.

"I feel better," said Gasol. "I have some pain in my ankle but I will be ready for Wednesday."

That is good news for Sergio Scariolo's men, who struggled without their superstar and were held by Turkey to just one basket in a disastrous final quarter.

"We only had three steals against Turkey," said Scariolo. "It was our first game where we were out-rebounded, another crucial factor needed to be able to run, something that we did do against Lithuania."

Scariolo will be hoping Spain can repeat their first-half performance against Lithuania.

The defending champions led 62-36 at half-time against the tournament hosts in a classy display.

Germany go into the contest inspired by their narrow triumph over Latvia.

Heiko Schaffartzik's three-ball with six seconds remaining handed Dirk Bauermann's side an 81-80 triumph.

Bauermann was able to rest Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman in the final quarter of the game.

"I have plenty of confidence in my young players and that is why I let them play," said Bauermann.

Head-to-Head: Germany have won just two of their 10 meetings with Spain at EuroBaskets. The last time both sides met in this competition, Spain won 83-55 four years ago in Madrid.

Last Time Out: Spain fell 65-57 to Turkey while Germany edged Latvia 81-80.

Key Match-Up: Spain's Pau Gasol vs Germany's Dirk Nowitzki. Gasol, the 2009 EuroBasket MVP, is averaging 21.8 points per game while Nowitzki, MVP of the NBA Finals, is scoring 20.4 points per game.

Key Stat: Germany are shooting 41.1% from three-point range - second best in the tournament behind Lithuania - compared to Spain's 30.1%.

X-Factor: Germany's Heiko Schaffartzik hit two three-pointers in the last 18 seconds against Latvia to fire his team to victory. The Germans will need the sharpshooting Schaffartzik to come up with big shots if they are to have a chance against Spain.

Sounding Off: "We need everyone's contribution and Pau's is important in order to make that final leap towards excellence," said Spain coach Sergio Scariolo.