Basketball: DBB saves Novitzki with historical gesture

Germany's basketball superstar Dirk Nowitzki is a great honor in the upcoming home em.

Before the starting game of the German national team on 1 September in Cologne against France, Nowitzkis jersey is drawn under the hall roof with the no longer awarded back number 14. It's the first time that the German basketball federal government honors a player in this way.

"Above all, I felt honored when this idea was presented from the DBB. That was a nice surprise, and I'm curious what awaits me in Cologne," said Novitzki, who acts as a German ambassador of the European Championship.

With the national team won the 43-year-old World Cup Bronze 2002 and EM-Silver 2005. Overall, Novitzki, 2011 NBA Champion comes with the Dallas Mavericks, on 153 internationals.

The EM tournament (1 to 18 September) is played in Germany, Italy, Georgia and the Czech Republic. The German team plays their group phase in Cologne, the final round will take place in Berlin.