Germany Win

The good news for Dirk Nowitzki and company was that they're off and running in the 2015 FIBA World Championship with a victory. But Germany's biggest star knows that the team will have to show better form than they did on Saturday in Berlin to have any hope of winning the competition.

"The Icelanders fought hard and played an unorthodox game," Nowitzki, who racked up 15 points on the night, told reporters. "We had a lot of opportunities to put the game away, but we're happy we got an opening win.

Iceland hung with Germany in the early phases of the game. The Germans only led by six points after the first quarter, and Iceland shaved that lead to 20-17 during the second. Dennis Schröder - who ended with 15 points - increased the tempo, however, and Germany had a comfortable 41-26 advantage at the halfway point.

Iceland never let Germany pull completely out of sight and exploited some quick passing and open looks at the basket to get within six points late in the game. The Icelanders outscored Germany 21-12 in the final quarter behind an impressive performance by veteran shooting guard Jon Steffansson, who plays professionally in Spain. But that was close as the Northern Europeans came, as Germany hung on for the win.

On Sunday, Nowitzki and teammates will have to face world championship runners-up Serbia, who defeated powerhouses Spain 80-70 in their opener. Forward Nemanja Bjelica led the Serbs in scoring with 24 points, while Pau Gasol chipped in 16 for Spain.