ATHENS (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) - Germany used a big second-quarter run as a launch pad for a 78-65 victory over Brazil to reach the semi-finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Dirk Bauermann's team trailed 21-17 but then outscored the Brazilians 28-5 run in the last six and a half minutes before the break to take a commanding 45-26 lead at half-time and ultimately prevailed.

Germany made seven three-pointers in the second quarter and finished 13 of 26 for the game.

Next up is a game against Croatia and if Germany win that, they will play at the Beijing Games.

A defeat would mean they would still have a chance with a victory against the team that loses the other semi-final.

Brazil trailed by as many as 27 points in the second half but never gave up and clawed their way back to 71-60 with 2:48 remaining.

Chris Kaman, who had 12 points and 14 rebounds, made two free throws but Tiago Splitter replied with a basket down low to make it 73-62.

Germany's Pascal Roller then drove the final nail in the coffin.

Having scored all 12 of his points from behind the arc in the first half, Roller drilled his fifth for a 76-62 advantage as Germany held on.

"We were very confident," Roller said.

"We had three great quarters, we struggled a lot in the fourth but fortunately we built a big lead so we succeeded."

"It is important that we, the other  players are confident, be creative and aggressive and not rely just on our two big players," Roller said, referring to NBA stars Kaman and Dirk Nowitzki.

"I think in the future, it's going to be tough for other teams to scout us. They are still going to focus on Dirk and Chris, but I guess now they will have to focus also on other guys."

Germany killed  Brazil with their three-point shooting, while the South Americans were just three of 19.

Nowitzki had 20 points and seven rebounds while Kaman poured in 12 with 14 boards.

Roller had seen his role diminished the past two summers but now is figuring prominently in the German team again.

"I'm happy, I'm trying to be aggressive and I'm playing more minutes than in previous years," he said.

For Splitter, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow.

He finished with 16 points - nine in the fourth quarter - and six rebounds.

"We didn't have a good game," Splitter  said.

"Our shots didn't go in. Congratulations to Germany."

FIBA