Before the EuroBasket 2005, expectations were not too high. The German roster was depleted by injury, and remembering the disaster of two years ago, nobody dared to dream of a medal. However, an inspired Dirk Nowitzki powered the team into the final, eliminating favorites like Spain and Slovenia on their way. In the final, the team was blown out by Greece, but Nowitzki was named MVP of the tournament, and the team were once again elected "Team of the Year" by the German press.