Although Germany and Japan have not advanced to the medal round, the two teams will continue their tournament with a classification game on Monday, September 14.

The winner of the match will compete against Israel in the classification play-off game for fifth-sixth place on Tuesday at the National Indoor Stadium.

Germany vs. Japan

? Germany placed second in its group A preliminaries with a 3-2 record, which included a narrow 58-56 loss to Japan. In Saturday's quarterfinals, the team lost to Great Britain.

? Coach Frits Wiegmann said Germany remains determined even after a quarterfinal loss to Great Britain ended the team's medal chances. "We have trained four years for this," Wiegmann said. "I would like to get at least fifth place."

? Japan's record of 2-3 in group A preliminary matches included a 58-56 win over Germany, but the team lost a quarterfinal match against Australia.

? Guard Kazuyuki Kyoya said Japan will never give up. "We still have the chance to rank fifth," Kyoya said. "What we need to do is to play up to our level and keep fighting together."

(BOCOG September 14, 2008)